Team news: Updates on Lerma and Mateta
Oliver Glasner has no fresh injury concerns for Thursday night's Premier League visit to Tottenham (20:00 GMT) and confirmed that Jefferson Lerma is able to return to the squad.
Lerma won't be ready to start as the Eagles look for consecutive wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, after a 2-0 victory on the same ground last season.
The Colombian has not featured since the midweek clash against Burnley last month. But Glasner confirmed he will be part of the matchday 20 who travel.
His return will provide a big boost with Maxence Lacroix missing out through suspension following his red card in the defeat at Manchester United on Sunday.
“Jefferson Lerma is back in the squad but not ready to start," said Glasner. "He trained with us and is ok. It’s quite early, but maybe if we need him for 15-20 minutes at the end – Tottenham are very dangerous at set-plays, and Jeff is our best defender in set-plays, and hopefully we'll have the lead then...
“He’s available for 15-20 minutes. That means it is either Chadi [Riad] or Nathaniel Clyne will play [in defence]. They are the two options we have and one of them will start.”
Glasner admitted that Lacroix's absence will be felt, but is confident his defence will be capable of helping to get a result.
“He’s [Lacroix] a big miss," he added. "But we showed against Wolves we could win with a clean sheet. We need other ones to step up and that’s how we’ve prepared.
“The referee decided that way and we have to accept it.
“That game is over. We took many positives from this game. But we have seen what we have to improve. Every game, every experience, is helpful."
Glasner also gave a fresh update on Jean-Philippe Mateta and said the French forward is targeting a return following the game against Spurs.
“We’re planning for him [Mateta] to be partly integrated next Monday in the team's training for the Larnaca game [next Thursday]. It will be the same, not starting, but maybe for 15-20 minutes.
“He was out for a long time, but his knee looks better now. That’s why we have decided to now reintegrate him step by step. He wasn't on the pitch for five or six weeks now. We have to be careful, but the goal is that he is available for the Larnaca and Leeds games.
“Eddie Nketiah won’t be available before April, so we’re pushing hard to have him back in the team."
Match Details
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
- Thursday, 5th March
- 20:00 GMT
- Premier League
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
