Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner provides the latest update on the fitness of Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has provided the latest update on the fitness of Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
Both Eze and Wharton were handed starts in the Eagles’ 2-1 victory at Aston Villa in the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, with the former heading home the opening goal.
However, Eze limped off in the 18th minute with a hamstring injury, while Wharton was taken off just nine minutes later after suffering a reoccurrence of a niggling groin problem.
Glasner has since confirmed that both players will miss Palace’s next two matches against Wolves and Fulham, while the decision has been made for Wharton to undergo surgery.
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Glasner reveals extent of Eze, Wharton injuries
Speaking at a press conference on Friday about Eze, Glasner said: “He’s injured. He has a hamstring injury and we will miss him for at least against Wolves and against Fulham. Then we have the international break, and then let’s see, but he will be out for those two games.
“There is hope [he will return after that], but it will be very ambitious to have him back after the international break. I know we have a great medical department and he will work hard, so let’s see.”
On Wharton, the Austrian added: “We took the final decision, he will have surgery so won’t be available for Wolves.
“He tried to train today, but he’s in too much pain. It makes no sense (to keep playing him), he has struggled over the last weeks and months. We hope to have him back in four weeks.”
Glasner has also confirmed that Jefferson Lerma, Chris Richards (both hamstring), Chadi Riad (knee), Matheus Franca (groin) and Joel Ward (unknown) all remain sidelined with injuries, while Rob Holding will not be considered for selection having been banished to train with the Under-21s.
However, Cheick Doucoure will be back in the first-team squad this weekend sooner than expected, as the midfielder has recovered from his toe injury sustained in September.
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Palace receive Doucoure injury boost ahead of Wolves clash
“Joel Ward missed the Aston Villa ame, but it’s not that serious,” said Glasner. “He will miss the Wolves game but should be available against Fulham. Jefferson is also out, at least until the international break.
“Cheick Doucoure will be back in the squad maybe earlier than we expected. Of course, we’re missing many players now. For sure, he can’t be at 100%, but it’s important that he’s with us.
“Next week Chris Richards should train with us if everything goes the right way, and that’s the positive news.”
Glasner has suggested that the congested fixture schedule over the summer with Euro 2024 and Copa America is now taking its toll on his Palace squad, but he has insisted that the Eagles are in the same boat as many other clubs.
“Many managers are talking about the same issues. Our injured players all played a long tournament in summer, with no holiday, no pre-season then many games,” said Glasner.
“There is a moment when you pay the bill, we have had to pay it the last few weeks. But it’s still a strong squad and we won at Villa. It was 1-1 at Villa (when Eze and Wharton went off). This gives us confidence.
“We go to Wolverhampton to win the game, we don’t complain about injuries or that they didn’t play during the week. We want to play this cup, the players did really great at Villa. We want to continue this winning streak.”
Crystal Palace currently sit 17th in the Premier League table and are looking to win their second successive top-flight game after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Selhurst Park last weekend.
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