Chris Richards is a major doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham after being stretchered off in Crystal Palace’s Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Richards has been an ever-present figure in Palace’s back three this season and was once again in the lineup as Oliver Glasner’s side travelled to the Emirates for the League Cup quarter final.
However, the United States international raised alarm bells in the second half when he slumped to the turf and required treatment.
Richards’ foot was bleeding heavily, with the Palace physios eventually needing to take his boot off in an atempt to stem the flow of bood.
Eventually, the defender was stretchered off and replaced by Will Hughes as Palace went on to lose agonisingly on penalties after Maxence Lacroix’s sudden-death miss.
The Eagles have endured a hectic schedule in recent weeks, and are back in action at the weekend when they host London rivals Tottenham at Selhurst Park.
And speaking after their defeat to Arsenal, Glasner suggested it would be unlikely that Richards would be passed fit to feature in the clash.
‘He got a knock on his foot, like stamped on his foot, and had to be stitched,’ the Austrian said.
‘I don’t know how many stitches but a few but the doctor told me it doesn’t look so bad. So, I’m always hopeful and, of course, we have to be hopeful.
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‘I don’t know if he will be okay for the Tottenham game but I am still hoping that he will be back against Fulham because, of course, as mentioned we have 16 outfield players and we can’t allow to miss someone else.’
There was more bad injury concern when Eddie Nketiah was forced off at half-time, but Glasner is confident the striker will recover in time for Sunday’s league match.
‘Edie got a slight knock. Doesn’t look so serious and I hope that he… I’m sure that he will be back for the Tottenham game,’ he added.
Elsewhere, Chadi Riad, Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada, and Cheick Doucoure remain sidelined for Palace with longer-term injuries.
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