Newcastle United will host a depleted Crystal Palace side at St James’ Park in an attempt to maintain their march up the Premier League standings. Roy Hodgson may be without up to eight first-team players for the trip to Tyneside.
Matheus Franca, who was linked with a move to St James’ Park in the summer, has yet to feature for the Eagles since his £26 million move from Flamengo. According to reports, he could be named to the matchday squad for the first time this season against Newcastle.
Jefferson Lerma is another player who has struggled with injuries since joining from Bournemouth in the summer. The Eagles are hopeful that he will recover from a thigh injury in time for the match against Eddie Howe’s team.
Joel Ward and Naouriou Ahamada both missed the match with Nottingham Forest but could be back in the team this weekend. Nathan Ferguson is expected to miss the trip to St James’ Park due to a hamstring ailment, and Dean Henderson is also out due to a thigh issue.
Eberechi Eze is another ruled out of the clash with the Magpies having picked up a hamstring injury in the week leading up to their draw with Forest. He’s expected to be out for five to six weeks but the clash with Newcastle will be too soon for the talismanic midfielder.
The Eagles have been plagued by hamstring ailments across the squad, and Cheick Doucoure was another player injured in the lead-up to the match against the Tricky Trees. Jeffrey Schlupp had to be removed from the game against Forest, and no timetable for his return has been provided.
Jairo Riedewald also took a knock against Forest, and a groin ailment appears to have ruled him out of the game against the Magpies. Despite their injury troubles, Hodgson could welcome back Michael Olise, who has yet to play a minute for the Eagles this season.
He appears to have healed from a hamstring injury suffered while playing for France U21s this summer, but the clash with Newcastle may be too soon for a start.
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