Crystal Palace are battling a mini injury crisis ahead of their trip to the London Stadium this Saturday—news that comes as a welcome boost for under-fire West Ham boss Graham Potter.
With the pressure mounting and murmurs of unrest in the Hammers board, Saturday’s clash is shaping up to be a must-win encounter for Potter. And with Palace potentially missing several key players, the odds may have just tipped slightly in the managers favour who could use all the help he can get.
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Defender Chadi Riad has been ruled out until at least October or November after suffering an ACL injury earlier this year. Midfield powerhouse Cheick Doucouré is on a similar timeline, with Oliver Glasner confirming both players remain long-term absentees.
Ismaïla Sarr, who limped off with a hamstring injury during Palace’s game against Aston Villa, will also miss the West Ham clash. Meanwhile, Caleb Kporha remains out with a persistent back problem and hasn’t featured at all during pre-season. There’s been no update on his condition since early August.
Wharton the key man for Palace
The news isn’t all bad for the visitors, as there’s a slim chance that former Irons target Eddie Nketiah and midfielder Adam Wharton could return just in time. Glasner previously stated that both had an outside chance of making the squad for the West Ham game, though neither featured in their Millwall fixture. From a West Ham perspective, Wharton missing will be key for Potters hopes if he’s to get the much needed win.
For Potter, it’s an opportunity he can’t afford to waste. With an almost fully fit squad and goals in short supply, anything other than three points could see the pressure reach boiling point. But with Palace short on numbers and missing key starters, this could be the best chance the gaffer has to save his bacon.