Team News: Hodgson confirms ‘two major boosts’ pre-Everton
The Premier League matchup between Crystal Palace and Everton is scheduled for this Saturday. Michael Olise should be available, according to Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
Due to an injury he sustained while on international duty in the off-season, the 21-year-old winger, who finished last season with more assists than any other Under-21s player in Europe’s top five leagues, has not been available for selection thus far this season.
However, speaking at his pre-match press conference, Hodgson confirmed the winger would be available for the first time this season, further good news following Ebere Eze’s return to action against Burnley last week.
Hodgson said: “Ebere Eze played for 30 minutes at Burnley and came through that well, and has trained all this week, so he’s available for selection.
“Michael Olise had some modified training last week, but he’s trained with us fully this week as well, so he’s another one I’ll have in the squad available for selection. That’s two major boosts.
“[Cheick] Doucouré hasn’t trained his week until today, but he has come through today’s training, so he’s also available.
“Really, the only players we don’t have at the moment are Dean Henderson, with his long-term muscle injury; [James] Tomkins, who will be back after the international break; and the unfortunate Jes Rak-Sakyi.
“We’re waiting on a scan in 10 days for him to see how the injury he’s picked up has… “Progressed” is not the right term; rather, it should be how the injury has either gotten better or not. Then, we’ll have a clear idea of how long we’ll have to accept being without him.”
