Chris Richards remains an injury doubt for Crystal Palace after watching from the stands as Oliver Glasner’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Richards has been a pivotal figure in the Eagles’ defence so far this season, starting all of their first 17 Premier League games this season.
However, a midweek injury against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup meant the United States international required stitches in his foot and was unable to feature in Sunday’s league defeat to Tottenham at Selhurst Park.
The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Glasner’s side over the festive period, with the visit of Fulham next up on New Year’s Day.
Asked after his side’s defeat to Spurs if Richards could feature in the midweek clash with Fulham, Glasner said: ‘We don’t know if he’s available for Fulham.
‘His foot got stitched, but it’s still swollen. It’s going in the right direction, but you have to wear a boot and kick a ball, and with the wound right there, it’s very, very painful.
‘And so again, it can be that he misses Fulham, it can be that he is available.’
A scrappy first senior goal from Archie Gray saw Tottenham claim a much-needed win to ease the pressure on Thomas Frank, but it was another wasteful display from Palace, who are now winless in five games in all competitions.
‘Both teams, I think, shouldn’t lose the game, creating enough to score goals but we missed all of our chances and were punished by a set-play showing exactly what we need to improve,’ Glasner conceded post-match.
‘I can’t remember and you [journalists] are watching Crystal Palace longer than me, but I can’t remember that a Crystal Palace side dominated a Tottenham side like they did today.
‘But then leaving the pitch with a defeat makes it frustrating for all of our players because they are feeling the same and I don’t blame anyone for missing the chances but we have to accept right now we lack a little bit of finishing quality in the team.’
The upcoming January transfer window comes at a crucial time for Palace who appear stretched and jaded after a jam-packed start to the season which has seen them play 30 times already before the turn of the year.
‘Again, I think, to be honest, if you watch our game today, it’s pretty clear what we need and that it’s a decision of Crystal Palace [transfers],’ Glasner said when asked about the club’s plans for the transfer window.
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‘If you’re constantly underperforming in scoring goals … Yeah. I can do, what we can do is encourage the players, supporting them, be positive.’
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