Roy Hodgson confirms triple injury blow ahead of Manchester United despite duo spotted in training
Crystal Palace will be without a number of crucial players when they travel to Manchester United in midweek and over the weekend, according to Roy Hodgson.
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson expects Michael Olise and Matheus Franca to be unavailable until after the next international break, adding to the frustration of missing Odsonne Edoaurd against Fulham.
The Palace manager revealed the news following their 0-0 draw with Fulham at Selhurst Park. South London Press quotes him: “Neither [are expected to return] in the near future,” stated the Palace chief.
“I can’t seriously imagine either being available before the international break, and that will be another couple of weeks.
“Even then, especially with Olise’s injury, it was a serious one he sustained with France.” We have to be very careful not to have a situation like Wilf’s when he moved to Turkey, because it had a similar injury, and his playing a bit earlier caused a similar ailment in the same location.
“When Wilf made his [Galatasaray] debut, it kept him out for three or four weeks.” They’re both making improvement [Olise and Franca].
“We’re following the medical department’s and physiotherapists’ orders. I don’t want to push that a player return sooner because then I’ll be held accountable if something goes wrong again and we miss him for another two months.”
The former England manager also expressed concern about Edouard’s hamstring injury, which forced him to leave the Fulham game late and may cause him to miss the Manchester United double header.
“I can’t attack the Carabao Cup as I intended because I don’t have any players,” he told reporters. Edouard’s hamstring is bothering me. When I find out a player will be away for three weeks, I’m pleased it’s not three months.”
Manchester United are the League Cup holders, having defeated Burnley the weekend before the Eagles game.
