Crystal Palace injury dilemma ‘not good’, admits Roy Hodgson

BY SAM SMITH

Roy Hodgson has admitted that Crystal Palace’s injury situation is “not good” – with James McArthur potentially missing for the South Londoners’ trip to Newcastle United tomorrow.

However, Roy Hodgson believes he will be able to call upon Christian Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt. Both have been linked with moves away from Selhurst Park today.

Midfielder McArthur was absent for Palace’s 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers having suffered a knock in training.

Hodgson said: “McArthur was injured for that [Wolves] game. We took some quite serious knocks in the game, so at this moment we’ve got a couple of other players who we are really going to have to look at and assess whether they are going to make it tomorrow.

“And then there’s the usual suspects. The injury situation for us at the moment is not good.”

Palace are set to keep Benteke and Van Aanholt. The Belgian has been linked with West Brom and also clubs across Europe, while the latter is being chased by Arsenal as back-up for their left-back Kieran Tierney.

But Hodgson has dismissed suggestions that either will depart Selhurst Park before tonight’s deadline.

“No, nothing I know about (Van Aanholt to Arsenal). Is he good enough to play for Arsenal? Yes, but it would be a real surprise to me.

“Benteke is travelling up to Newcastle. There’s speculation about a lot of players, but Christian and I know where we stand.”