Sage’s first Premier League pre-match press conference saw him provide an update on captain Dean Henderson, who faces a race to be fit after picking up a knock in the final pre-season friendly at Freiburg last week.
Henderson will train with the other 'keepers later today, after which time a final assessment will be made.
“He had a little twist in his ankle [against Freiburg]," Sage told the media.
“We want him to play. But we gave him a few days of treatment to allow him to be in his best shape.
"He will train today with the goalkeeping coaches and we will take the decision tomorrow. But we are hopeful he is able to play.
“Everybody [else] can play and I have to make some choices. This is the job and it’s a good problem for me.
“I like this, because when I have choices I can anticipate certain scenarios and I have a lot of options.”
This includes forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who will be in the matchday squad.
“I think he will be involved on Saturday,” added Sage. “He didn’t play the last game [in Germany] because he only came at the beginning of that week.
“It was not a game to take risk. But we can now give him more minutes.”
Everton v Crystal Palace
- Saturday, 22nd August
- 15:00 BST
- Premier League
- Hill Dickinson Stadium
- Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.