Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Matheus França is training alone after breaking a rib and will not take part this weekend.
The Eagles are looking for their first win of the season, but they need to find a way to get it without the Brazilian full-back. Glasner confirmed the injury before the match at the club’s training base: “França is not available. He is getting closer to training, but he broke his rib and it is quite painful. He has already started individual training on the field.” “
There was also another blow as Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah was injured during his first training session with the club. Chalobah, who has agreed a transfer deadline day, will have to wait a little longer for his Palace debut. Glasner, who admitted the injury was unusual, ruled the 25-year-old out, but not before describing the situation.
He added: “He injured his stomach muscle in the first training session with us – it’s a really strange injury. “He won’t be available tomorrow either. It shouldn’t take very long. He is also doubtful for the QPR and Manchester United games.”
It will be the first time Glasner will meet Steve Cooper, who was also linked with the Eagles job before the Austrian landed the role. Both teams are winless in their opening three games, although Leicester drew against Spurs and Palace recently picked up an impressive point away at Chelsea.
The Eagles will also be able to parade Eddie Nketiah for the first time since he completed a £25million move from Arsenal to south London last summer. He played a friendly for the club behind the scenes during the international break, and his manager has confirmed he is in line to start tomorrow.