Crystal Palace have dealt with injuries ahead of Newcastle after “brand new” information.
Crystal Palace have been injured ahead of their Premier League clash with Newcastle after ‘new’ information.
Palace sweep Fiorentina aside in convincing European display
Palace’s first European campaign went to a touching distance in Thursday night’s semi-final, when Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty, Tyrick Mitchell’s finish and Ismaila Sarr’s late header made it three goals for Fiorentina at Selhurst Park.
The impressive result puts the Eagles one foot firmly in the last four of the Conference League.
Mateta, making his first start since January after a knee problem and turmoil that saw him publicly push for a move to AC Milan, ended his goal drought with a brace and received a warm welcome from the fans when he was subbed off late on.
Defender Chris Richards confirmed his ambition in the dressing room after the game, saying the club wanted to reach the final, with confidence built from last season’s FA Cup and Community Shield wins in a team that believes silverware is the real goal.
Rangers are heading to London after Crystal Palace agreed terms to sign him to move on from Southampton
Steve Parish drives the movement.
The second leg takes place in Florence next week, with Fiorentina needing to produce something extraordinary to make up for the deficit.
Palace next host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday, before thoughts turn fully to Tuscany.
With that written twice in mind, Oliver Glasner now has to accept that one player who has been working on a comeback will not play a role again this season.
Crystal Palace suffered a big performance from Eddie Nketiah ahead of Newcastle
Eddie Nketiah has been out since Palace’s match with Tottenham at the end of December.
The striker looks to be nearing his return – he was on the training ground as recently as Wednesday, two minutes from the end of the session – before suffering another hamstring problem and having to leave.
The latest postponement has ended any realistic hopes of a resurgence in the name.
Glasner confirmed after the Fiorentina game that Nketiah will not return until the pre-season.
“Yeah, Eddie, unfortunately, it was the end of the season, so he won’t be back until the new season,” Glasner said.
“I didn’t talk to him because he was examined yesterday evening, I think the doctor called me at night and in the evening I was watching the Champions League games.
“I just got this information, so it’s new and today he was preparing for the team, but tomorrow I’ll talk to him, and then we’ll decide what’s best.”
The news is heartbreaking, but it comes in a week where Palace have plenty of reason to be optimistic.
A three-goal cushion over Fiorentina, a side that has grown in confidence with a European run, and a home form that Glasner described as “something special” all point to the club building on its foundations rather than despair.
Jørgen Strand Larsen returns from suspension for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle, providing new attacking options as the season heads into its final stages.
As good as Mateta vs Fiorentina: The Crystal Palace star looks like Wharton 2.0
Crystal Palace have one foot in the semi finals of the Europa Conference League.
