Crystal Palace considered loan recall after first-team player sustained injury

Crystal Palace considered recalling Remi Matthews from his loan spell at St Johnstone following Sam Johnstone’s injury. The stopper is due to spend the whole campaign in the Scottish Premiership.

There was a possibility that the Eagles could have brought him back to Selhurst Park as cover. However, nothing materialised in the end and the player stayed put in Scotland.

Crystal Palace gave the 29-year-old the green light to leave last summer to get some game time under his belt. He has since made 27 appearances in all competitions this term.

Matthews has provided this update on his situation, as per The Courier: “There was talk of me going back to Palace when Sam Johnstone got injured and they were left with a young kid on the bench. So I think they had a conversation about bringing me back. But I don’t think it was ever much of a possibility that I’d be recalled.

“If I had gone back and found myself sitting on the bench in the Premier League, it’s not something I could have turned down. But I wanted to stay here and finish what I started.

“It was one of those where if I stayed I was happy and if I had gone back down I think people would have understood. They had a conversation and I don’t know if the two clubs spoke about the terms of the agreement and whether I could actually have been recalled.”

He added: “I don’t know what the gaffer would have said, he might have politely told them to go away! But the bottom line is I have enjoyed my stay here and am enjoying my football.”

Crystal Palace signed Matthews back in 2021 to bolster their goalkeeping department but he hasn’t played for the first-team. His contract with Patrick Viera’s side expires at the end of June and he is currently due to become a free agent.

Prior to his move to South London, he had spells at Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland. He was released by the latter before the Eagles snapped him up.