Oliver Glasner has shared an injury update on Eberechi Eze ahead of Crystal Palace’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Eagles welcome the Magpies to Selhurst Park in desperate need of a win, with the club 19th in the table after an awful start to the season.
As their best attacking threat, Glasner has been desperate to have Eze back after the England international suffered a hamstring injury shortly after scoring in a Carabao Cup win in October.
Despite being back in training, the 26-year-old was not risked for the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa last week, but he is now fit to play some part against Newcastle.
‘Ebere will be in the squad tomorrow, and Eddie Nketiah as well,’ Glasner said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
‘We worked pretty hard on their rehab, and also the medical staff did an amazing job, so that’s why they are available earlier than expected.
‘It gives us more possibilities – tomorrow, then it will be the same at Ipswich, and then we play Man City, so it’s a very intense week.
‘We need all the players on the top level. I know Ebere can’t play all three games over 90 minutes, so it’s good that he is back, and the same with Eddie. We have to manage the minutes they get, but it’s good just to have the opportunity when you need it.’
The Eagles have a tough run in December, with Manchester City, Brighton and two games against Arsenal on the horizon.
Given their predicament, it is expected that Palace will delve into the transfer market in January in order to rescue their season.
An attacking midfielder will be top of the shopping list with summer arrivals Nketiah, Ismaila Sarr and Daichi Kamada failing to fill the void left by Michael Olise.
To that end, the South London Press report that the club are eyeing up a £20million move for James McAtee who is keen to leave Manchester City for more game time.
The England U21 star has just one minute of Premier League action to his name this campaign but impressed while on loan at Sheffield United over the past two seasons.
While Palace have no plans to sell Eze in January, whoever they sign might end up being his long-term replacement, with Manchester United interested in the Three Lions star who has a £68m release clause in his contract.
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