‘The two we want back more than any’ – Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson counting down the days until injured duo return
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is counting down the days until Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are fit again.
Olise has missed the whole campaign after hamstring surgery on a grade three tear while on international duty with France’s U21.
Our paper revealed last week that Greenwich-born Eze, 25, had picked up a serious hamstring injury and will be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Injury-ravaged Palace are unbeaten in their last three Premier League outings and drew 0-0 against Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
Jefferson Lerma, Dean Henderson, Naouirou Ahamada, Joel Ward, Cheick Doucoure and Matheus Franca also missed the Forest fixture.
“The two we want back more than any are the two creative players that we have and made such a difference in the 10 games I had with the team when I came back last year,” said Hodgson. “Our 10-game successful period was very dependent on the form of Olise, who as of yet has not kicked a ball for us and we’re already going into mid-October.
“And now Eberechi Eze has picked up a serious injury.
“I will only really be looking at matters with the same optimism as I can when those two get back fit again, but it will take some while.”
Olise, 21, recorded six assists playing under the former England and Fulham boss at the end of last season. Ex-QPR attacker Eze scored six goals and claimed one assist over the same period to earn international recognition with England.
Hodgson admitted that Palace missed out on two deals during the last week of the window – understood to be versatile youngster Lewis Hall and forward Hugo Ekitike.
Hall signed for Newcastle on loan with an obligation to make it permanent. Striker Ekitike ended up staying at Paris Saint-Germain.
When asked if there were lessons that could be learned from the recent window, Hodgson said: “That’s being wise after the event.
“If there hadn’t been any injuries and we were sailing along with what we think is our best team, you would be asking the question: ‘When are you going to give X, Y and Z a game?’
“I don’t hold that against anybody. Steve [Parish, chairman] and [sporting director] Doug Freedman are talking about these things all the time and I’m pretty certain that if they think there are lessons to be learned, they will learn them.
“My job is to work with the players in front of me.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
