Crystal Palace midfielder set for lengthy injury lay-off 

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure could be set for up to six months on the sidelines after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Luton Town, the South London Press understands.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off in the 49th minute at Kenilworth Road after going down with no opposition player around him.

Doucoure had only returned to Roy Hodgson’s starting line-up after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-0 win against Burnley, which meant he was only fit enough for the bench in the 3-2 defeat at home to Everton.

Mali international Doucoure, who has made 47 appearances for the Eagles since joining from Lens at the start of the 2022-23 season, will now miss the upcoming 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

“He’s got a bad injury,” said Hodgson in his post-match press conference.

“I’ll let the doctor deal with that first. It’s not going to be an injury that keeps him out for a short period of time.”