Crystal Palace are optimistic that Michael Olise will not miss much game time with his latest hamstring injury.
Olise has been sidelined since he limped off in stoppage time against Brentford on December 30 and the winger is likely to be ruled out for the remainder of January.
But Palace only have two more Premier League games this month, plus their FA Cup third round replay with Everton, and the Eagles are hopeful that Olise will return in February.
Olise will definitely miss the trip to Everton on January 17 and then the Premier League game away at Arsenal three days later.
Palace host bottom club Sheffield United at Selhurst Park on January 30, when they hope Olise will be closing in on a return.
The 22-year-old had been in excellent form, scoring four goals in as many games before he suffered his latest injury.
Olise sustained a serious hamstring tear in June while on France Under-21s duty, which kept him out until November 11. But his latest injury is to a lower part of the hamstring.
Standard Sport revealed last week that Manchester United are plotting a summer move for Olise.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson said of his injury: “Michael had to come off right at the end as he felt his hamstring with the last sprint he made in the game.
“The next question will be how long he is out, but I can’t answer that one. We’re hoping this one won’t be as bad as the one [in the summer]. We don’t think it will be.”
