Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expects defender Chris Richards to be available for the M23 derby against Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday.
Richards played 90 minutes in the FA Cup success over Fulham last weekend, despite returning back later than most from international duty with USA, but a calf problem saw him miss the trip to Southampton on Wednesday.
However, Glasner is confident the issue is not serious, and believes the 25-year-old should be fit to feature at Selhurst for this one.
Nathaniel Clyne is set to be the man he replaces in the starting XI, in what could be the only change from the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s in midweek.
Tyrick Mitchell and Jean-Philippe Mateta were both replaced on the hour with Palace struggling to find any rhythm, but it is unlikely the pair of them will be dropped entirely from the side ahead of an important fixture such as this one.
The saviour on Wednesday night was an unfamiliar one to many, as Matheus Franca netted his first goal for the Eagles in injury time, 18 months after moving from Flamengo, but injuries have hugely disrupted the young Brazilian’s time in English football.
Franca is unlikely to start though, despite his positive impact on the South Coast, especially given the recent form of Ismaila Sarr, who has scored four goals in his last five, and netted twice at the Amex in the reverse fixture.
Currently on the injury list are Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure, who will both miss the rest of the season, and Joel Ward, who remains out with an unspecified issue.
Will Hughes is available to Glasner again though, following a two-match ban after becoming the first Premier League player this season to reach the 10-yellow-card limit.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Click here to see how Brighton could line up in the derby.
No Data Analysis info
