Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has discussed the fitness of his players ahead of crucial matches. Hodgson emphasizes the significance of having both Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in the squad as the season progresses.
Michael Olise is still dealing with an injury he sustained while playing for the France under-21 team, while Eberechi is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks due to a hamstring issue. Their absence adds to the list of players, including Jefferson Lerma, Dean Henderson, Naouirou Ahamada, Joel Ward, Cheick Doucoure, and Matheus Franca, who are all contending to regain fitness before facing Newcastle, Tottenham, and Burnley.
Despite these challenges, Crystal Palace has remained undefeated in their last three league games. Hodgson acknowledges that having Olise and Eze fit would significantly benefit the team. He remarked, “The two players we are eagerly waiting to have back are our creative players who made a substantial impact during the 10 games I managed the team last year. Our successful period during those 10 games heavily relied on Olise, who has yet to make an appearance this season, and now with Eberechi Eze sustaining a serious injury, I will only be as optimistic as I can be when they return to full fitness, but it will take some time.”
Roy Hodgson successfully turned the team around when he took over from Patrick Vieira with only 10 games left in the season, rescuing the Eagles from the threat of relegation.