Crystal Palace are sweating over the fitness of midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Wharton missed last weekend’s 2-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League after sustaining an ankle injury in the previous match against Nottingham Forest. Oliver Glasner is hopeful that the 21-year-old will be fit to feature, but it remains to be seen whether he will be ready to start.
Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma both started in centre-midfield last time out in Wharton’s absence and are in contention to retain their places, while Daichi Kamada is another midfield option available for selection.
In-form star Eberechi Eze has scored five goals in his last four games, most recently netting both goals against Spurs, while he has also been involved in four goals in as many games in the FA Cup (three goals, one assist).
The England international is expected to start in an advanced role alongside Ismaila Sarr, who scored a brace in Palace’s comprehensive 3-0 semi-final win over Aston Villa, while 17-goal striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to lead the line.
Glasner is unlikely to freshen up his backline, with Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell both expected to operate as wing-backs as captain Marc Guehi lines up alongside Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards in central defence, protecting ex-Man United goalkeeper Dean Henderson between the sticks.
Joel Ward is therefore set to begin as a substitute, but the 35-year-old defender will hope to given a run-out in what will be one of his final games for the Eagles before he departs upon the expiration of his contract in the summer after 13 years with the club.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
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