Roy Hodgson has revealed that Wilfried Zaha “looks ready to go” ahead of big clashes against Manchester United, Spurs and West Brom in the next two weeks. The Ivory Coast international will not be risked in the match against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night, but Hodgson says he is hoping to welcome the attacker back into a matchday squad “very, very soon”.
Roy Hodgson said: “It’s quite good news really. [Zaha] has returned to training, albeit a little bit modified, at the start of this week. But he looks ready to go again. We’ll have to wait for the green light from the doctor and the medical staff, but it’s looking positive. I think I’ll be able to work him back into the squad very, very soon.”
Hodgson also revealed that Jeffrey Schlupp is available for the match against Solskjaer’s side, having missed Palace’s last 10 games. Schlupp also suffered a hamstring injury, and his absence has caused problems in an attacking line that has been largely unable to rotate over the last month. Hodgson said that both Schlupp and Connor Wickham will be able to play a part against Man United, but Nathaniel Clyne and Tyrick Mitchell would both be absent.
Roy Hodgson added: “While we’re talking about positive news, I’m happy that Jeff Schlupp and Connor Wickham have recovered and will be available for me too. I’m optimistic that both of those players will be back for me very soon – they will be available even for tomorrow evening. Wilf, James McArthur, James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho at the minute are missing. Unfortunately we’re also missing Nathaniel Clyne and Tyrick Mitchell with minor injuries that will keep them out for a week or two. As for James McArthur, we may have to wait until the international break until we see him.”
