Cheick Doucouré’s long wait is finally almost over, with Pierre Sage confirming the midfielder will play some part for Crystal Palace against Middlesbrough tonight.
The 26-year-old has not played a senior competitive game since Palace’s 2-0 win at Leicester City in January 2025. After almost 20 months out, tonight’s Carabao Cup tie at Selhurst Park should finally mark his return.
Doucouré finally ready to return
It has been a horrible couple of years for the Mali international. Doucouré ruptured his Achilles against Luton Town in November 2023 and, after fighting his way back to make 13 appearances, suffered a torn meniscus in January 2025.
He has since worked his way back through Under-21 football and came through pre-season before returning to the senior squad for Saturday’s 3-2 win at Fulham. He remained an unused substitute, but Sage has confirmed that will change against Middlesbrough.
“When I told him he would be with us today, his smile was incredible,” said the Palace boss.
“I think his reaction was as if I gave him $1m. I like this kind of reaction because that’s for me the start of how we play football, how we love this game, and the only thing he wanted is to come back with the team.
“This is the first step, and he will play a little bit on Tuesday for sure.”
It is easy to understand the reaction. Doucouré was named Palace’s Player of the Season in 2022/23, his first campaign after arriving from Lens, before injuries took such a huge chunk out of the next three years.
Sage has already suggested he will resist making wholesale changes tonight, with Palace ambitious in the Carabao Cup. Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand could return after being left out against Fulham.
For Doucouré, though, the result won’t be the only thing that counts tonight. Simply seeing him back on the Selhurst Park pitch will be quite a moment.
