Crystal Palace boss to assess duo ahead of Liverpool clash – with Benteke definitely an injury doubt

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson will run a close eye over both Tyrick Mitchell and Christian Benteke when the squad return to training after both players appeared to struggle at times in the 3-1 loss at home to Arsenal last night.

After drawing the home side level in the 62nd minute, striker Benteke was substituted off in the 79th minute after appearing to pull up beforehand when attempting a sprint. Young defender Mitchell was running impeded as early as the 17th minute with what looked like a knock, but played the whole 90 minutes.

“Chris was definitely feeling something around his ankle, his achilles, but I’ve not checked up with the physios yet,” said Hodgson.

“Tyrick’s [possible injury] I wasn’t quite so aware of, but that quite possibly could be fatigue.

“We’re not a team that relishes two matches in three days, even less a team that relishes three matches in six or seven days. We found that out last year when we had Project Restart; the type of squad we have needs that week break in-between games to prepare.

“Sunday’s game might prove quite difficult in that respect, but I have to take issue with that on Friday when I see the players again.”

This weekend will see the Eagles boss manage his final game in charge of his boyhood club, away at Liverpool, after announcing earlier this week he would be stepping down.

But a familiar problem which has dogged his time in SE25, thanks to an ageing squad, is injuries and Hodgson approaches Sunday with a number of key players missing.

“The squad’s been decimated, well, not decimated, it ridiculous to say that, but it’s been hard hit,” said the Croydon-born Hodgson.

“First of all, Scott Dann not recovering and losing him to a minor strain and then [losing] James McArthur who we had some hopes for [means] the bench has become a little bit lopsided. We don’t have the options anymore that we would like in midfield. We had to move Cheikhou [Kouyate] into midfield [from defence] to give us his energy, his work rate and his strength in there and I thought that worked quite well.

“Luckily, [James] Tomkins was there to take his place but if we if we’re going to find on Friday that there are other players who are going to be ruled out of the game on Sunday, then I’m afraid that our bench is not going to be anywhere near as strong as it’s been these last few weeks.”