Patrick Vieira delivers Crystal Palace injury news ahead of Brighton trip – midfield duo to miss out

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has confirmed that midfield duo James McArthur and Will Hughes will be unavailable for tomorrow’s clash at Brighton.

Hughes, 27, and McArthur, 34, both missed last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.

The Eagles head to The Amex looking to pick up their first win in 2023, with their last three points in the Premier League coming against Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve.

Former Watford midfielder Hughes has made 17 appearances this season in the league. McArthur, who recently returned from injury, played his first minutes of the season in the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

“He [Hughes] is not going to be involved tomorrow – he is still not feeling well,” said Vieira.

“It’s the same for Macca – they’re still not feeling 100 per cent. Everybody else is okay.”

Brighton remain winless against Palace in the last seven Premier League meetings between these two sides, with the last three games ending in a draw.

“Every game is important, but of course, this is the special one because it is a derby,” said Vieira.

“We know how much it means to the football club and the fans. But again, it’s about concentrating on the way we want to play – how we can be really good defensively and at the same time hurt them when we have the ability to do so? 

“They [Brighton] have a structure that allows them to have an extra player in the midfield. We have to defend well, be well-organised and disciplined.

“We need those ingredients that we had against Manchester City and to improve the offensive side.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD