Crystal Palace are hopeful Michael Olise will be fit for next Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Olise withdrew from the France Under-21 squad due to inflammation in his left foot, which also forced him to miss Monday’s 3-0 win over Arsenal.
Palace manager Patrick Vieira said after that game that Olise was a doubt for this Sunday’s game at Leicester, but he hopes the 20-year-old will be ready to face Chelsea at Wembley.
Olise has impressed for Palace since joining from Reading for £8million last summer and has made a real impact in the Premier League since forcing his way into the side.
Olise, who can also represent England at international level and would have been in the England Under-21 squad had he not elected to go with France, has four goals and nine assists in all competitions this season.
Asked about Olise’s availability for the Chelsea game, Vieira said on Monday: “We have to see. We have to live the week and see how he will improve.”
Palace will definitely be without Conor Gallagher against Chelsea, because the midfielder is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Gallagher’s absence is a blow for Palace but, six years after losing against Manchester United in extra-time in the 2016 FA Cup Final, confidence is high that they can upset Chelsea, who are struggling after back-to-back home defeats by Brentford and Real Madrid.
Palace will be looking to make it eight games unbeaten on Sunday when they play at the King Power Stadium.
