Early Crystal Palace team news v West Ham United: ‘Huge’ blow for Roy Hodgson as duo ruled out
Crystal Palace have suffered a “huge” blow ahead of their clash with West Ham United, with two of Roy Hodgson’s most important players ruled out, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported in its print edition (28 November, page 62) that Cheick Doucoure may not feature again this season after he suffered a serious achilles injury in Palace’s 2-1 defeat to Luton which could see him sidelined for six months.
Eberechi Eze is set to join him in the treatment room for up to a month after he limped off with an ankle injury at Kenilworth Road. The midfielder continues to be assessed but the expectation is that he will miss matches against the Hammers and Bournemouth.
David Moyes’ side welcome Crystal Palace to the London Stadium on Sunday 3 December, but have the prospect of a Europa League clash with TSC Backa Topola to focus on first on Thursday 30 November.
Weaker side
No game in the Premier League is easy, especially against a side that has been as consistent in the division as Crystal Palace, but the latest injury update out of Selhurst Park will give the Hammers a boost heading into the clash this weekend.
Eze is capable of shifting a game on its head with one action, the England international has been in inspired form when he has been fit and available and would have given the Irons backline and midfield plenty of work had he been fit.
Similarly, Doucoure has been a regular fixture at the heart of Hodgson’s midfield, starting 11 of the 13 Premier League matches this season and has gone about his business well. His absence may well allow the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqeuta to find a little bit more space as they advance up the field.
West Ham have turned their domestic fortunes in their last couple of outings with wins over Nottingham Forest and Burnley in their last two matches and they will be hoping to continue that recent run against Palace and it feels as though they’ll be heading into the match as favourites after the latest news.
But first, Europa League qualification is within the Irons’ grasp and they have to make sure they’re in the knockout stages.
In other West Ham news, Moyes could fund a new striker deal with the sales of both Said Benrahma and Thilo Kehrer