Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is facing an anxious wait to see if star duo Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise will be fit for tomorrow’s trip to rivals Brighton.
Eze and Olise starred in the midweek win over Sheffield United – Blades boss Chris Wilder admitted afterwards they were the difference between the sides – but both sustained injuries that threaten their participation at the Amex.
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It would be a major blow for Palace if they weren’t available for the short trip to the south coast.
Hodgson said: “I don’t know with Eze. He came off [against Sheffield United] feeling tightness in his hamstring. He will shortly be going for a scan.
“Michael presuming, hoping he will be okay. It was partly cautionary why he came off. If he felt tired we told him we will take him off. He thought he was beginning to feel signs of muscle fatigue, he asked to come off. Eze didn’t ask to come off.”
Hodgson remains optimistic Olise will be okay, however.
The former England boss added: “I don’t know. I don’t think Olise will be out for this weekend’s game. We haven’t trained yet. Unless something happens today which I’m not aware or expecting, he will be available.”
Palace’s win over Sheffield United was their first in four games and partly alleviated the growing pressure on Hodgson. The Eagles are 14th in the Premier League, six points above the bottom three.
Palace will be able to call on Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz, with both players signing shortly before last night’s transfer deadline.
Wharton was one of the biggest signings yesterday with Palace paying up to £22million to take him from Blackburn.
Hodgson said: “I can tell you, we followed him last season, had him flagged as a good player who will suit our style. He has the qualities for that position. He’s young, we have to accept he doesn’t have Premier League experience, it will be a learning curve.
“He has all the qualities for the player in the position, exceptional signing both in the short team and longer term.
“He could be available for Brighton. He has been training, same applies to Daniel Munoz. They both have come from clubs playing every week, no injuries, both available.”
