Iain Dowie faces a defensive crisis ahead of Saturday’s early kick-off at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Palace’s appeal against Gonzalo Sorondo’s early sending off against West Brom in the week was unsuccessful, leaving Dowie looking for cover in central defence.
Darren Powell would have been likely to fill in after he came on at the Hawthorns to take Sorondo’s place at the back. However, he picked up a knock during the 2-2 draw and is unlikely to figure in tomorrow’s game.
That means Tony Popovic could be called back into the side – unless Dowie opts to pull Mikele Leigertwood back from his current centre midfield berth.
That could be an option with the return to fitness of Aki Riihilahti, who scored the crucial late equaliser on Tuesday night.
Danny Granville is expected to miss out again, and despite reports that Joonas Kolkka was close to returning in midweek he is now expected to be out for at least another week.
A win for Palace would see us go a massive seven points clear of the bottom three – at least temporarily – but Bolton are on a roll after enduring a torrid run of form before Christmas.
The Trotters are now winning games for fun, although they will be disappointed by the probable absence of captain Jay-Jay Okocha for the tie.
Probable Palace XI
Kiraly
Boyce Leigertwood Hall Borrowdale
Routledge Riihilahti Hughes Soares
Johnson Freedman