Eddie Nketiah is unfortunately out for the rest of the season at Crystal Palace after suffering another setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Oliver Glasner confirmed the news ahead of the 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday, telling reporters: “Yes, Eddie, unfortunately (this) was the end to (his) season, so he won’t return until the new season starts.”
It means Crystal Palace are a man down in the striker department heading into the latter stages of the UEFA Conference League, with only Jorgen Strand Larsen and Jean-Philippe Mateta to call upon after Christantus Uche was left out to make room for the Norwegian, Evann Guessand and Brennan Johnson.
Sadly – despite scoring two goals in his four UEFA Conference League appearances earlier this season – Uche cannot be recalled by Glasner.
Articles 31 and 32 in UEFA regulations explain why Christantus Uche cannot replace Eddie Nketiah
Article 31 in the UEFA rulebook clearly states that a swap due to an injury can only take place before matchday six of a UEFA competition – which has already been and gone.
Point C in the rulebook states: “During the league phase until matchday six included, the club concerned may temporarily replace a maximum of one outfield player and register a new outfield player.”
Article 32 sheds more light on the knockout phase compared to the league phase, but seems to suggest no further changes can be made beyond the additions of Larsen, Johnson and Guessand – who Crystal Palace have an option to buy.
Article 32.01 reads: “After the completion of the league phase and before the start of the knockout phase, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registrations must be completed by 5 February 2026 (24:00 CET) at the latest.”
Christantus Uche in action for Crystal Palace
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Only those competing in “domestic championships that start and end in the same calendar year” are exceptions to the rule as Article 32.02 makes clear.
So, Uche – who remains content with life in SE25 – will have to watch the remainder of Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League run from the stands, a disappointing outcome for a player who performed an important role in the league phase.