Crystal Palace double injury blow as training ground setback emerges ahead of crucial Fulham game

Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise has suffered a setback on his way to full fitness and will now have to start all over again according to a report on the Athletic.

The France under-21 star picked up a hamstring injury in the summer while playing for his country in the European Championship, and even though the damage was deep and he was expected to be out for three months, the latest knockback will now mean he stays out for the games against Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United in the league.

Olise recently turned down a chance to sign for Chelsea and instead, penned a fresh deal in south London that saw him triple his wages. The contract also served as a timely boost to the club which had just lost Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray.

Last season he made 11 assists for the club, the most from any player outside the top six and emerged as one of the true stars of the 2022/2023 campaign.

Another injury concern will be the one to forward Jordan Ayew who had to leave the game against Aston Villa with what Paddy McCarthy hinted was a dead leg.

Jordan has made 244 appearances in the Premier League, bagging 33 goals and 20 assists, counting from when he first made his Premier League debut for Villa in 2015, making him truly one of the most experienced members of the Palace team.

This season, he’s got an assist already and is in talks to extend his stay at the club as a reward for his dedication and effective performance for the Eagles.

In the case Jordan is unable to recover in time for the game against Fulham, Palace might have to look at bringing in 19-year-old Matheus Franca who joined from Brazilian side Flamengo even though he’s been also battling injuries.