Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz is set to miss his side’s encounter with AEK Larnaca in the first-leg of the Europa Conference League Round of 16. The Colombian came off injured in a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Thursday (March 5th).
Munoz landed awkwardly on his shoulder after a heavy challenge from Spurs’ Souza. He attempted to play on but signalled that he couldn’t continue.
Oliver Glasner immediately brought Munoz off, and Nathaniel Clyne came on in his place. The Austrian spoke after the game and suggested he was hopeful that the issue wasn’t too serious.
Munoz set to miss Larnaca clash
Palace fans believed Munoz had made a swift recovery when the club’s media team released pictures on their X account. One of the images showed the Colombian in the background of a Glasner team discussion at Copers Cope Road.
It has since been revealed that those were, in fact, snaps from a previous training session. Hopes of the 29-year-old being fit to face Larnaca have faded and a report has almost certainly downplayed the possibility.
Colombian journalist Julian Capera has given a timeline of the Palace man’s recovery, and he might even miss the second leg on March 19th. He claims that the player is expected to be out for just under two weeks.
Munoz should be fit in time for the announcement of Colombia’s national team for the upcoming international break. His nation are in pre-World Cup friendly action against Croatia (March 26th) and France (March 29th).
Glasner, therefore, might be without his right wing-back for the entire Conference League Round of 16 tie. In between the two fixtures against the Cypriot outfit is a clash with Leeds United on Sunday (March 15th).
Munoz injury not serious
The good news is that Munoz hasn’t done any serious damage to his shoulder, and the injury didn’t involve ligament or bone damage. He only returned from a knee injury in January, missing the winter period, which was a huge headache for Glasner.
Palace host Larnaca on Thursday, looking to get revenge on the Cypriots following their 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park during the league phase. Imanol Idiakez’s side finished eighth in the Conference League table, two places and two points above the South Londoners.
Munoz is joined on the injury list by Cheick Doucoure and Jean-Philippe Mateta (both knee) and Eddie Nketiah (thigh). A win will be vital for the Eagles on home soil, and they have been boosted by a recent upturn in form.
