Crystal Palace to lose Jordan Ayew for almost a month after latest Eze and Doucoure news

Crystal Palace could be set for a nightmare in January with the first news that midfielder Cheick Doucoure is set to miss the rest of the season due to injury.

He picked up that injury against Luton Town and his fellow midfielder Eberechi Eze who was only starting his second game on the spin after injury also picked up another one in that game.

Doucoure's injury is heartbreaking as he won the club's Player of the Season award last campaign and has been sensational since he joined from France.

Eze who only recently signed a new deal has been battling a hamstring problem but was trying to get his season going before the unfortunate injury. Palace believe that Eze won't be out for a long period having already missed a month out before the latest blow.

Jordan Ayew who has been pretty special since Roy Hodgson returned to the club is also set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nationa with Ghana. Countries are able to call up players two weeks before a major tournament even though some European clubs were able to strike an arrangement where clubs released players a week before kick-off.

Doucoure's injury also now means that he misses the tournament which starts on January 13 running all the way to February 11.

Roy Hodgson confirmed the injury blow to the duo and admitted Doucoure's was a long-term one: "[Doucoure] is not going to be out for a short period of time. They are two of our more important players, so of course, it is devastating news."

The Eagles have just one win from their last five games- including a surprise defeat to Luton Town that has made the game against West Ham this weekend a crucial one.