Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise is facing another spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury sustained against Brentford on Saturday.
Olise, 22, missed the start of the season after having surgery on a hamstring over the summer and, although Eagles boss Roy Hodgson refused to put a timescale on his return, he insisted it was not a long-term issue.
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Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round clash with Everton, Hodgson said: “He had to come off at the end and he felt his hamstring in the last sprint of the game. He won’t take part in the game [against Everton].
“We’re hoping that this one is going to be nothing like the one which put him out of the game for nearly six months. We don’t think – or hope – it’s going to be like that. It is another little setback.”
Olise continues to impress in the Premier League and was, this morning, linked with a summer move to Manchester United.
Hodgson added: “Olise’s performances, particularly against Brentford…even against Chelsea, the game before Brentford, it was the type of performance that even as a coach of great experience you happily pay money to watch.
“We were delighted with him and for him in that game so even sadder that he is going to face a period on the sidelines. I can only hope that period won’t be for too long.”
Palace have sacrificed the FA Cup in recent seasons to prioritise Premier League survival but Hodgson says he is now confident enough in their squad to be able to focus on two different competitions.
“There have been times when I have been here when I’ve been more concerned with the staying in the league factor,” he said.
“I don’t have to worry about that balancing act as much as I have done in certain times in the past. It would be nice to have a cup run and it would be nice to do well. We’re certainly going to have a go at it.
“To win it? It would be lovely of course it would be. We can only do our best. We can only play with the players we have available and put our best foot forward.”
