Crystal Palace without key man but good news for Roy Hodgson ahead of Leeds United clash

The Whites travel to the capital on Saturday afternoon in Premier League action.
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Crystal Palace will be without club captain Luka Milivojevic against Leeds United while defender James Tomkins has also suffered an injury setback.

The Palace skipper begins a three-match ban on Saturday afternoon following his dismissal against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

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Roy Hodgson's outfit appealed the decision but saw their protests turned down by the Football Association after the midfielder was sent off following a VAR review at Molineux.

Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic will miss the clash with Leeds United. (Getty)Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic will miss the clash with Leeds United. (Getty)
Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic will miss the clash with Leeds United. (Getty)

Centre-back Tomkins will also miss the Selhurst Park showdown but fellow defender Gary Cahill has been passed fit along with forward Jordan Ayew.

Long-term absentees Wayne Hennessey (thigh), Nathan Ferguson (knee) and Connor Wickham (thigh) remain out for the foreseeable future. Palace are also still missing Joel Ward (groin) and Tyrick Mitchell (knock).

Hodgson had previously faced a small crisis in the heart of defence but is now able to call on Scott Dann, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Kelly while midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has previously provided cover.

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“We’ve not been able to have a [settled] back two, quite simply because during the period we came back from lockdown most of our centre-backs have been injured,” Hodgson said.

“That’s how Cheik Kouyate ended up playing centre-back because in the previous two seasons he’d been playing really as a central midfield player. He had to move to the back because we didn’t have anyone else to play.

“Lots on paper but all injured. Now we’ve got an abundance of riches because now they’ve all got fit again.

“It does make life quite difficult for me deciding which ones should play. I’m always very conscious of the fact that whichever two I choose there is probably always two, maybe three, not playing who could probably do just as good a job.

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“The record of injuries of our centre-backs has not been great in my years at the club. And they are all 30-35 years of age, so in actual fact I don’t think it hurts to have a few extra bodies because we’re going to need them all over the course of the season.”

Marcelo Bielsa meanwhile will be without defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Record summer signing Rodrigo will also be missing in the capital after testing positive for coronavirus with defender Diego Llorente still sidelined.

Leeds, though, remain hopeful over the fitness of winger Raphinha (ankle) who will be assessed ahead of kick-off in South London.

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