Crystal Palace seem to have been boosted by the return of Daniel Munoz ahead of their Europa Conference League clash with AEK Larnaca. The two sides meet at Selhurst Park in the first leg on Thursday (March 12th).
Munoz was forced off in Palace’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday (March 5th). He was left floored by a heavy challenge from Spurs’ Souza and couldn’t continue.
Oliver Glasner told reporters after the game that the club will assess Munoz and hoped it’s “not too bad.” The Austrian added that a shoulder issue is “always tricky.”
Munoz returned from a knee injury in January, which was a massive boost for Glasner. His side encountered a difficult winter period but has bounced back in recent weeks.
The 29-year-old played in both legs of Palace‘s 3-1 win over Bosnian minnows Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League play-offs. It seems that fears over another possible spell on the sidelines have been allayed.
Munoz makes it?
The club’s media team dropped pictures of Glasner’s squad training ahead of their encounter with Larnaca. One of the pictures shows the Austrian manager in discussion with several players and behind him is believed to be Munoz.
Once the image was posted fans were quick to point out the resemblance and enthusiastically suggested all is well. That was the verdict of one supporter who wrote:
“Do I see Muñoz back in training.”
Another replied: “Well hidden but I think so.”
Palace Report also took notice by dropping side eye and Colombian flag emojis: “Who’s next to Glasner?
A fan responded: “Tattoo on the leg is a big giveaway its Daniel son please let this be good sign.”
One supporter replied: “Ngl I think he faked it. Stayed down for too long I’ll be real then realised it wasn’t that deep.”
Munoz’s availability for the Larnaca will be crucial given Palace have already tasted defeat against the Cypriot side. The visitors nicked a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park during the league phase despite Glasner’s men controlling proceedings.
Injury updates
While Munoz might be fit to face Larnaca, that won’t be the case for several members of Glasner’s first team. Cheick Doucoure is still sidelined with a knee injury, but the Malian midfielder did feature for the youth side in Premier League 2 on Friday.
Even if Doucoure were fit, he can’t play because he hasn’t been registered in the Conference League squad. Eddie Nketiah is recovering from a thigh injury and won’t be available until April.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (knee) could make his first appearance since missing out on a move to AC Milan in January due to a failed medical. The French striker is close to returning to action, and that could put him in contention to at least make the bench against Larnaca.
