The Irish centre-half is still recovering from his recent shoulder operation and is not expected back until March.
Teenage right-back Nathaniel Clyne was rested for Tuesday night's defeat at south London rivals Charlton and will challenge Danny Butterfield for his place.
Fellow youngster Victor Moses put in a lively cameo at The Valley after replacing Sean Scannell and may have earned a start in a three-man attack.
Alan Lee will battle with Shefki Kuqi, who this week turned down a new contract at Selhurst Park, for the central-striker's role with Paul Ifill likely to continue on the right.
Neil Danns is also pushing for a recall in midfield after his substitute appearance at Charlton.
Blackpool have been boosted ahead of the trip after signing Manchester City midfielder Paul Marshall on a month's loan.
The youngster has been a regular in City's reserve team this season and looks set to make his debut for the Seasiders at Selhurst Park.
His arrival offsets the absence of midfield duo Keith Southern and Claus Jorgensen.
Southern is set to be sidelined for a month after he damaged ankle ligaments in last weekend's 2-0 win over Birmingham, while
Jorgensen was sent off in that match and now serves the second of a three-game ban.
Both players were sorely missed in Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat at the hands of QPR - a match which saw on-loan 
Krisztian Nemeth fracture his cheekbone.
That could effectively end his one-month loan as he is set for a spell on the sidelines, while fellow forward Daniel Nardiello has joined Hartlepool on loan.
Sporting Life