Early Crystal Palace boost as Nottingham Forest star limps out of international duty ahead of weekend's game

Nottingham Forest are sweating over the fitness of defender Willy Boly who was forced off in Ivory Coast's 2-2 draw with Benin over the weekend. The Ivorian defender is one of Forest's best defenders and previously played under boss Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves.

The 33-year-old has suffered an injury and suspension-hit season and only returned to action for Forest in their 1-1 draw at Luton last week but is now a doubt for this weekend's all-important game with his team needing points desperately against the Eagles.

Crystal Palace also have their own injury concerns with influential duo Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise struggling to be fit for the game. Defender Marc Guehi is hoping to be fit for the last few games of the campaign, he underwent surgery on his knee and is expected to be out for at least six weeks.

The Eagles are also likely to be without goalkeeper Sam Johnstone who is seeing a specialist after picking up an injury on England duty. This has been a tough season in south London but the appointment of Austrian Oliver Glasner has lifted moods and energised a fanbase who grew frustrated under former manager Roy Hodgson.

The new Palace boss recently said: "If they were looking to just finish 15th or 16th and just stay in the Premier League then I was the wrong manager." 

Palace have won one, drawn one and lost one of their first three league games under the former Eintracht Frankfurt manager and will travel to Forest this weekend hoping to return to winning ways.