Roy Hodgson delivers Crystal Palace injury news ahead of Leicester City – Defensive duo to miss out

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed Nathan Ferguson and Chris Richards will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City.

The returning Eagles manager also confirmed he would have a senior goalkeeper available, with Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone returning to training.

Richards, 23, has made nine appearances since joining the Eagles in the summer from Bayern Munich. 

Ferguson has only played eight minutes of senior football for the club since joining from West Brom in 2020.

The South Londoners are the only Premier League side without a win in 2023 and are three points above the relegation zone.

Hodgson, 75, will take charge of his first game since replacing Patrick Vieira, who was sacked after the 1-0 defeat at Brighton.

“We have got two players who are unfortunately not going to be available for us,” Hodgson told the press in his pre-Leicester City press conference.

“Both trained last week. But we have lost Nathan Ferguson and Chris Richards.

“Hopefully the injuries are not really serious ones. The prognosis is that we might get them back for next week.

“Both goalkeepers [Johnstone and Guaita] are back fit.” 

Leicester City head to Selhurst Park 17th in the Premier League and one point above the drop zone.

“He’s been working with them a long time,” Hodgson said of Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.

“They have a lot of very good players. It’s unusual to see them in the position they’re in.

“He must know with this group of players, and with the work they have done together and the way they know each other, it would stop him feeling too much pressure.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD