Several fringe players have struggled for opportunities under Oliver Glasner since he arrived at Crystal Palace in February 2024.
The likes of Matheus Franca and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi have largely been overlooked by the Austrian, although he signed neither player in fairness.
However, Romain Esse and Eddie Nketiah were both signed by Oliver Glasner – although they can only boast one and seven Premier League starts respectively under his management as the man from Salzburg often tends to stick with the same XI.
With four fixtures to come in nine days, some fans are expecting rotation against AEK Larnaca on Thursday – although Esse and Christantus Uche seem unlikely to start after becoming involved in U21 duty.
Oliver Glasner sends Christantus Uche to the Crystal Palace U21 side with Romain Esse
The Crystal Palace U21 side take on Stevenage in the EFL Trophy, and both players are in the starting XI.
It means Esse nor Uche are likely to start against AEK Larnaca, as it is almost unheard of in modern football for players to start two games in the space of two days, regardless of the level.
Esse was already involved with the Crystal Palace U21 side after Glasner dropped him down a rank following a terrible display against Millwall in the Carabao Cup, but the England U21 international did earn a recall to the squad for the 3-3 draw against Bournemouth after impressing with his attitude.
Uche was left out of the squad entirely for that Premier League thriller on Saturday after returning late from international duty with Nigeria.
The unfancied duo could still appear on the bench on Thursday – especially given the fact UEFA allow 12 substitutes to be named as opposed to just nine in the Premier League – but we highly doubt either will be given a start.
Oliver Glasner unlikely to be punishing the duo
We firmly believe Uche – who must start ten games for his £17m move from Getafe to become official – and Esse are not being punished on this occasion.
Oliver Glasner looks on during a Premier League clash between Newcastle and Crystal Palace
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
The duo are simply lacking playing time, and we feel this is a move designed to inject some match fitness into them.
Esse has only played 79 minutes for Crystal Palace this season – while Uche has been handed fewer with 52 – so it makes sense for them to get some action with the U21 side.
By the same logic, you can question why Jaydee Canvot and Justin Devenny are not involved against Stevenage, but that could well suggest Glasner plans to start the pair against AEK Larnaca – only time will tell for sure what happens.