Team News: Three Eagles to return for Larnaca, plus Muñoz update
Oliver Glasner expects three of his Crystal Palace players to return for tomorrow’s UEFA Conference League Round of 16 first leg against AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles’ inaugural venture into European competition continues with a rematch with the Cypriot Cup holders, with tickets on general sale for Thursday night’s first leg, which kicks off at 20:00 GMT (12th March) in SE25.
With both the home and away leg – plus a home Premier League match with Leeds United – to come in the next eight days, Palace will be bolstered by the return of three players to contention for selection.
“We have players coming back,” the Manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference. “Maxence [Lacroix] is back [from his one-match suspension], and can play tomorrow.
“Jeff Lerma was already in the squad [after a four-game absence with injury] at Tottenham, but we could rest him. He is fine.
“JP [Mateta] started to train with us on Monday this week, and he will be in the squad. Everything goes in the right direction.”
The Eagles will, however, be without Daniel Muñoz on Thursday night, the Colombian having sustained a shoulder injury early on in last week’s win at Tottenham.
“Daniel Muñoz will miss this game,” Glasner confirmed. “He’s working hard with our medical staff to be ready for the Leeds game.
“All the others are fine, in good shape, and looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”
On Mateta, who has been nursing a knee injury since January, the Manager added: “No [he is not ready for 90 minutes] – he didn’t train for five or six weeks on the pitch, and he’s now back for three days, so no chance [of 90 minutes].
“But it’s good to have him back. He showed in training he’s always able to create chances, score goals, and that’s why it’s good to have him back.”
Mateta’s return sees Palace’s strength in attacking depth further bolstered, following the additions of Brennan Johnson, Evann Guessand and Jørgen Strand Larsen in the winter transfer window.
Glasner added: “That was the target of the winter transfer window: to strengthen our attack, because we were often short of numbers, and I think the club did a great job regarding the strengthening our attack.
“The new players are really getting integrated [with the group] very well. It’s not one-way, it’s two-ways, but it’s quite easy because the player who are here are great lads, and so are the new ones as well, so it’s maybe easier.
“It just gives us more options and we need this now. We have a three-game week again, and are expecting a very physical and intense game against Leeds, where we got punished at Elland Road [in December].
“Therefore, we need all these options, and it’s good to have them.”
Match Details
Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca
- Thursday, 12th March
- 20:00 GMT
- Selhurst Park
- UEFA Conference League play-off round, second leg
- Tickets available to purchase here.