Palace have been plunged deeper into yet another injury crisis, following the news that Curtis Fleming has broken his leg. The injury means the 35-year-old will be sidelined for up to two months while he recovers.
The influential defender was forced off after only 11 minutes of Saturday’s home game against Burnley, after colliding with Thomas Myhre. And scans this week confirmed that the luckless Fleming had broken his fibula.
Signing a new defender is now a massive priority for Iain Dowie. The draw against Burnley also saw Tony Popovic limp from the pitch, and he is now rated doubtful for this weekend’s clash with Watford.
Meanwhile, Darren Powell and Kit Symons are still on the treatment table, as well as defensive midfielders Aki Riihilahti and Shaun Derry. All of which leaves the new manager with very few back line options for the game at Vicarage Road.
"It’s a big blow to lose Curtis. He will be out for between six and eight weeks with the injury," Dowie told the official club site. "I'm not too sure who will be fit in time for next weekend – let's just say I’m dusting down my boots."