Crystal Palace have been hit by the news striker Connor Wickham has suffered a setback in his bid to return from long-term injury problems.
Eagles boss Roy Hodgson has been dogged by issues to his attacking players so far this season with Christian Benteke remaining sidelined because of a knee injury, while Alexander Sorloth has struggled when given an opportunity.
Jordan Ayew, Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha have been utilised in a three-pronged forward line in recent Premier League games with the return of Wickham set to provide a boost to the side.
He will be out now for a further period of time, which is a shame and a disappointment because he had been training for a while with us on a regular basis.
Roy Hodgson
However, Hodgson revealed in his press conference ahead of Sunday's London derby at unbeaten Chelsea that Wickham suffered a thigh injury in training and that is why he missed Wednesday's Carabao Cup exit at Middlesbrough.
The 25-year-old former Sunderland and Ipswich man has been battling his way back from a two-year anterior cruciate knee ligament absence, but now faces more time out.
"Connor Wickham has picked up a new thigh strain, which stopped him from taking part on Wednesday evening," said Hodgson.
"He will be out now for a further period of time, which is a shame and a disappointment because he had been training for a while with us on a regular basis.
"We were harbouring the notion that he may now be fit enough to take part, but that is not the case and he isn't.
"Christian Benteke is making good progress and continuing his programme of rehabilitation and Joel Ward is still recovering from his thigh strain."
Palace are 17/2 to win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while Chelsea are priced at 1/3 and the draw is 19/4.
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Crystal Palace have been hit by the news striker Connor Wickham has suffered a setback in his bid to return from long-term injury problems.
Eagles boss Roy Hodgson has been dogged by issues to his attacking players so far this season with Christian Benteke remaining sidelined because of a knee injury, while Alexander Sorloth has struggled when given an opportunity.
Jordan Ayew, Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha have been utilised in a three-pronged forward line in recent Premier League games with the return of Wickham set to provide a boost to the side.
He will be out now for a further period of time, which is a shame and a disappointment because he had been training for a while with us on a regular basis.
Roy Hodgson
However, Hodgson revealed in his press conference ahead of Sunday's London derby at unbeaten Chelsea that Wickham suffered a thigh injury in training and that is why he missed Wednesday's Carabao Cup exit at Middlesbrough.
The 25-year-old former Sunderland and Ipswich man has been battling his way back from a two-year anterior cruciate knee ligament absence, but now faces more time out.
"Connor Wickham has picked up a new thigh strain, which stopped him from taking part on Wednesday evening," said Hodgson.
"He will be out now for a further period of time, which is a shame and a disappointment because he had been training for a while with us on a regular basis.
"We were harbouring the notion that he may now be fit enough to take part, but that is not the case and he isn't.
"Christian Benteke is making good progress and continuing his programme of rehabilitation and Joel Ward is still recovering from his thigh strain."
Palace are 17/2 to win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while Chelsea are priced at 1/3 and the draw is 19/4.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com