Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira predicts exact time goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will return from injury

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has ruled out goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from the weekend’s Premier League clash against Liverpool, but expects him to be back soon.

The Eagles host Jurgen Klopp’s side who are without a defeat in their last eight visits to Selhurst in the league, they arrive in south London though at the back of a 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The south London side are also searching for their first league win of the year and will have to make a late call on star forward Wilfried Zaha, the Ivorian has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury but returned to training this week.

Left back Tyrick Mitchell is also back in training after he was precautionary taken off against Brentford last weekend.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will have to miss this one- but his manager doesn’t expect him to be out for months.

Patrick Vieira told reporters ahead of the Liverpool game this weekend: “Both of them (Tyrick Mitchell and Wilfried Zaha) trained with the team and Wilfried is getting better and better, he had the last training session this morning. We have to wait until tomorrow to see if there is any reaction.

“Sam Johnstone will not get involved tomorrow. He will be out for the next couple of weeks. Nathan played 45 mins with the U21s and he trained the week with the team so he is making progress.

“Macca has been really good, full training with the team this week and he will be part of the squad tomorrow.”

Wilfried Zaha is the club’s leading scorer this season with six goals and having him available even if it’s from the bench will be a massive lift to everyone at the club as they seek to turn the tides and get one over Liverpool.