Crystal Palace provide Chris Richards injury update ahead Brentford Premier League clash

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says he doesn’t know how long defender Chris Richards will be out after picking up a back injury and missing the game against Brighton and HoveAlbion.

The American defender has been impressive in Joachim Andersen’s absence, helping the Eagles to important points against Manchester United and Newcastle.

He was also impressive in the slim defeat at Old Trafford and was in line to start against Brentford before disaster struck and his back injury ruled him out of the game at Selhurst.

James Tomkins who stepped in to replace him in the team scored the equalising goal to ensure Palace picked up a point against the Seagulls, their fifth straight draw at the Selhurst agains their bitter rivals.

Vieira, who is under pressure to get the Eagles back to winning football matches, admits he’s unsure when the former Bayern Munich defender will be back.

He told reporters after the Brighton game: “We don’t know [how long Richards will be absent for] yet.

“He had his injury this morning, and we have to wait and see how long he will be.”

The Eagles will travel to the Brentford this weekend hoping to defy the form book and get all three points against the Bees, who have now gone 11 games without a defeat and are just coming off a 1-1 draw with league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates.

Another player who is set to miss the visit to Brentford is Wilfried Zaha who has been battling a hamstring issue he picked up against Newcastle in the Premier League.