Four Crystal Palace Players Ruled Out With Injuries
Reuters / Peter Nicholls
Soon after Roy Hodgson took over as the new manager of Crystal Palace, he has been burdened with the task of turning around his side’s season,after a poor start to the campaign. And the ex- England manager is off to a very unfortunate start, as star players Christian Benteke and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been ruled out with injuries.
Palace are yet to score a goal this season, losing all six of their Premier League fixtures so far. Furthermore, along with the lack of goals, they have also been struck with a lack of important players in their squad. Along with the aforementioned duo, Wilfried Zaha is also out injured, whilst James Tomkins has been sidelined due to illness.
“Unfortunately we have been hit by injuries when we could have done without them,” Hodgson told Croydon Advertiser, prior to his side’s match at Old Trafford this weekend.
“I’m afraid there are a lot of injuries, which is bad news for us. Benteke you know about. His injury is slightly less serious than Mendy’s and will keep him out for six weeks. (Ruben) Loftus-Cheek has a thigh strain that will keep him out. (Wilfried) Zaha, you know about. James Tomkins is sick and he is out.
Reuters / Lee Smith
“Zaha’s injury is very similar to the one Christian has picked up. It has taken him six weeks to get back with us and hopefully he will be back with us in the international break, but tomorrow is too early for him, no question.”
The English manager now faces an early relegation battle, which is an even tougher task thanks to the Eagles’ upcoming fixture against the high-flying Red Devils, which will then be followed up by a clash against champions Chelsea, who recently beat Atletico Madrid in their UCL group stage match.
With Crystal Palace yet to bag a single point or goal this season, Hodgson is now tasked to turn his new team’s season around – a mission that, with the recent injury woes, seems nearly impossible.
Written by Ashish Sreejith 
Have had two addictions in life- playing football and watching football. Usually described as introverted but not when it comes to speaking and writing about the beautiful game of football.