Crystal Palace player training away from group ahead of Leicester City as 'strange' injury is confirmed

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Matheus França is training on his own after rupturing his rib, and he won't be involved this weekend.

The Eagles are looking for their first win of the season but will have to find a way to achieve that without their Brazilian full-back. Speaking ahead of the game at the club’s training base, Glasner confirmed the injury: “França is not available. He’s getting closer to the training pitch, but he ruptured his rib, and it’s quite painful. He has already started training individually on the pitch.”

There was also another blow, as Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah picked up an injury during his first training session with the club. Chalobah, who joined on transfer deadline day, will have to wait a bit longer for his Palace debut. Glasner, who admitted the injury was a strange one, ruled out the 25-year-old but not before describing the situation.

He added: “He injured his abdominal muscle in his first session with us – it’s a really strange injury. “He’s also not available tomorrow. It shouldn’t take very long. He’s questionable for the QPR and Manchester United games as well.”

This will be the first time Glasner faces Steve Cooper, who was also linked to the Eagles job before the Austrian got the role. Both teams are winless in their first three games, although Leicester managed a draw against Spurs, and Palace earned an impressive point away at Chelsea recently.

The Eagles will also be able to parade Eddie Nketiah for the first time after he completed a £25 million move from Arsenal to South London this summer. He played in a behind-the-scenes friendly for the club during the international break, and his manager confirmed he’s in line to start tomorrow.