Crystal Palace captain Scott Dann looks set to return to action in time for the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s table-topping Liverpool side this weekend – following more than a month out with a hamstring strain.
Alan Pardew has now been handed a major boost ahead of this weekend’s clash at Selhurst Park – especially after last weeks 3-1 loss to beleaguered reigning champions Leicester City. With that result leaving Palace without a clean sheet in all nine of their Premier League fixtures – Dann’s return is now all the more timely.
Dann has become one of the league’s most consistent defenders following his move to South London in 2014 – and despite playing as a domineering centre-half for the Eagles, the 29-year-old has also been known to pop up with the odd goal or two, even finishing as Palace’s joint top goal scorer last season with five goals.
English midfielder Jason Puncheon is, however, a doubt for the game – having also missed last weekend’s loss to Leicester City, with a calf injury. Although Pardew still remains hopeful that Puncheon will be able to join Dann in returning to fitness ahead of the game.
Games between Palace and Liverpool have thrown up some shock results over the past few seasons – with Palace’s heroic derailing of Liverpool’s unprecedented title challenge probably the most poignant of them all. Whilst Palace were also responsible for taking the shine off of Steven Gerrard’s final game at Anfield – as they comfortably beat the Reds 3-1 in May 2015.
