Crystal Palace have been hit by fresh injury problems with the news of the long term absences of midfielders James McArthur and Jason Puncheon.
Palace boss Alan Pardew admitted in his press conference today that McArthur would be out for the rest of the season after damaging his ankle ligaments, whilst midfielder Jason Puncheon also faces a lengthy spell on the treatment table with a hamstring issue.
Pardew said “Puncheon and McArthur have both been having fabulous seasons for us, so that’s a significant blow.”
Without two of the team’s most influential players, the Eagles find themselves pressed for depth. Jordon Mutch and Lee Chung-Yong will most likely be called upon by Pardew to replace the duo.
However, the Palace boss also had positive news with regards to players returning from injury.
It looks likely that forward Dwight Gayle and academy graduate Sulley Kai-Kai will be fit and ready for the Eagles clash with Swansea at the weekend.
It also expected that record signing Yohan Cabaye will also return to action following his injury in the FA Cup tie with Stoke. The French midfielder failed a late fitness test on Tuesday and therefore was forced to watch his side lose to Bournemouth and sink to a fifth consecutive loss in the Premier League.
With the Londoners injury issues piling up, it looks even more clear that Pardew and the board needed to add bodies to a depleted squad in the January transfer window.
