Oliver Glasner has delivered a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Eagles picked up maximum points in 2-1 home victory over M23 rivals Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, but their success came at a price as both Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah were sent off in the second half.
Both Guehi and Nketiah are now suspended for the trip to the Etihad, while there had also been concerns over the fitness of defensive duo Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix.
While Richards has missed Palace’s last two games with a calf injury, Lacroix was withdrawn as a concussion substitute in the closing stages of the win over Brighton.
With Guehi ruled out, the Eagles looked as if they could be down their bare bones defensively for the clash with Man City, but Glasner has provided a positive update on both Richards and Lacroix.
Glasner confirms Richards, Lacroix boost
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, about his defensive options, Glasner said: “Yes, Chris [Richards] has done well. He has been training since Wednesday. He has no problems anymore, so he will be available.
“It is the same, [for] Maxence [Lacroix] is available. He trained with us today. We followed all the (concussion) rules and he is available for tomorrow.
“The whole week we hoped it would go this way and fortunately it has. We lose Marc [Guehi] and Eddie [Nketiah] because they are banned.”
Meanwhile, Glasner has revealed that January signing Romain Esse and backup goalkeeper Matt Turner will not travel with the matchday squad due to illness.
“Romain Esse and Matt Turner are both feeling unwell, so they stay at home for this one,” said the Austrian. “But they both should be available for the Newcastle game next Wednesday. All the others are fit and it’s positive for us.”
Commenting on Esse’s lack of regular game time since joining from Millwall in January, Glasner added: “Of course he wants to play more – everybody is like this. I don’t have the solution where everyone can be happy after every single game.
“He hasn’t played the minutes he deserved or he would like to play, but he is doing well and working hard in training. We have five games coming up in two weeks. It’s about showing that he is ready. We’re still convinced by his talent and skills.”
Glasner talks up “amazing finisher” Marmoush before Man City clash
Palace are now preparing for a challenging encounter with a Man City side who are expected to start forward Omar Marmoush, who worked with Glasner during his time at former club Eintracht Frankfurt.
Glasner has described Marmoush as an “amazing finisher”, adding: “He has the skills and what I loved was he was two and a half years in Germany and he spoken German perfectly and this is quite unusual.”
The Palace boss continued: “He is a great guy, has all the skills and in the football career you may not have to make a straight direction to come to the top but he had a loan at St Pauli, Stuttgart, then performing for Wolfsburg, then an outstanding season for Frankfurt. Immediately he shows Manchester [City] what kind of striker he is. I’m really pleased for him, but not tomorrow.”
Marmoush has scored five goals in as many Premier League home matches since joining Man City for around £63m in January and is poised to lead the line for Pep Guardiola‘s side in the absence of injured striker Erling Haaland, one of five players who remains sidelined for the Citizens.
