COLE PALMER watched Stockport County vs Wrexham as he enjoyed a Saturday off.
The Chelsea star, 22, was originally named in Lee Carsley’s England squad for Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland.
After reporting to St George’s Park on Monday, however, Palmer withdrew from the squad.
Palmer had been an injury doubt prior to the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend.
He went on to start the game, but did not have his usual influence.
Having withdrawn from England duty, Palmer found himself with a spare Saturday off.
The former Manchester City starlet headed north to watch some League One football.
Hailing from nearby Wythenshawe, Palmer rocked up at Edgeley Park as Stockport hosted fellow third-tier new-boys Wrexham.
With winter fast approaching, and feeling the cold even more than usual, Palmer wrapped up warm in a big coat and hat.
Wrexham stars won’t have been worried about playing in front of a famous spectator, with their Hollywood A-List co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney having attended plenty of their games.
But it was Stockport who rose to the occasion, winning 1-0 under the watchful eyes of Palmer.
Louie Barry bagged what turned out to be the winner on 24 minutes, his 11th goal of the season.
Earlier this week, England captain Harry Kane hit out at Three Lions stars skipping international duty, amid nine withdrawals from the original squad.
The 102-cap striker, 31, told ITV Sport: “I think England comes before anything. It comes before club and it is the most important thing you play as a professional footballer.
“Gareth (Southgate) was hot on that and he wasn’t afraid to make decisions if that started to drift from certain players.
“It’s a shame this week obviously. I think it’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit.
“I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think England comes before anything, any club situation.
“The joy to play for England. I think Gareth brought that back. Every camp, people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England.”
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