Roy Hodgson provides Crystal Palace injury news ahead of Aston Villa – with two key players set to miss out
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Marc Guehi and Jefferson Lerma are set to miss tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Guehi, 23, went off at half-time for England in their 3-1 friendly win over Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.
The former Chelsea defender has played every game under Hodgson since he returned to Selhurst Park last season.
“He’s likely to miss the game,” confirmed the 76-year-old.
“It’s a problem that we think can be easily managed, or he isn’t unduly worried about it, but unfortunately, the game has come too soon. Had we had 10 days, or even four or five, we might have got him fit, but I’m afraid the day’s training he’s done today wasn’t enough time.
“It’s a fairly minor thing. It was just that the impact injury caused it to flare up a little bit, has meant he can’t play in this game.
“It’s not something that’s occurred because he’s trained and played two matches with England. It’s because, in the game against Scotland, he jarred his hip and that has unfortunately exacerbated this minor problem he plays with every week.”
Lerma, who joined on a free transfer from Bournemouth this summer and has started every game under Hodgson, played two 90 minutes for Columbia in the international break but looks set to miss the game with a hamstring injury.
“Lerma’s injured too,” added the Palace boss.
“He’s had a scan this morning, so I can’t give any details, but it’s to do with his hamstring. I don’t know how serious that is either.
“He played two times 90 minutes and travelled first to Colombia, then to Chile and then to England. He didn’t arrive back until reasonably late on Thursday morning. He made his way straight to the training ground to see the medical staff and report the fact that he felt a slight problem in his hamstring. He’s gone for the scan today.
“I’m hoping that will also be more the result of two times 90 minutes and the travelling involved, and that’s the risk you take when you decide you want a South American international player in your squad.
The Eagles boss also confirmed that James Tomkins will miss the trip to Villa Park with a “minor injury”.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD