Crystal Palace vs AFC Bournemouth - Crystal Palace to wait on Wayne Hennessey and Joe Ledley
Posted Saturday, August 27, 2016 by PA
Wayne Hennessey and Joe Ledley are doubts for Crystal Palace ahead of Bournemouth's visit to Selhurst Park.
Goalkeeper Hennessey and midfielder Ledley have been struggling with injury this week so Steve Mandanda, who joined from Marseille over the summer, could make his Premier League debut between the posts after making his first appearance for Palace against Blackpool in the EFL Cup in midweek.
Christian Benteke remains short of match fitness and the B£27million striker will probably start on the bench.
Wilfried Zaha is likely to be involved despite asking to leave the club following a bid from London rivals Tottenham.
On Thursday the Eagles rejected a B£12million offer from Spurs for the 23-year-old winger - a bid chairman Steve Parish called "ridiculous", before going on to reassure Palace fans that Zaha would be "going nowhere - 100 per cent guaranteed."
Boss Alan Pardew welcomed Parish's stance and insisted he has no problems with the player.
He said: "We just reacted to (the bid) and I think we've reacted correctly. I think the chairman's statement says it all.
"I have no problem with Wilf whatsoever, I completely understand what's gone on. He's our player of the year and a player that I see in my plans going forward."
Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip.
Boss Eddie Howe is expected to restore his full-strength line-up for the return to league action after the midweek EFL Cup victory over Morecambe.
Harry Arter is back in the squad after serving a one-match suspension.
Challenging Bournemouth to record their first Premier League win of the season at Selhurst Park, Howe admitted it is vital his side can get their season off the ground before the international break.
"The Crystal Palace game is very important," said Howe. "We want to get our season started before the international break.
"I'm not going to downplay it. We had two tough games against them last season.
"There wasn't much between us and them in those games. They have recruited well so we know they will be organised and difficult to beat.
"Every game in this league is so tight and there doesn't tend to be much between the sides, one moment can change a game.
"We've been on the wrong end of that twice already this season, so we need to make sure we are on the right side come Saturday."
Photos
More»
Meet Eva Murati, the glamorous UCL presenter
Friday April 26 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Brighton 0 - 4 Manchester City
Friday April 26 2024
Meet Jude Bellingham's stunning girlfriend Laura
Thursday April 25 2024
Your Say