Patrick Vieira has provided a fresh injury update on his Crystal Palace squad ahead of their Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Eagles will be without Blues loanee Conor Gallagher for the game as he is not allowed to face his parent club, though this is one of only two forced absences along with the sidelined Nathan Ferguson.
The young full-back remains out injured having suffered a hamstring problem during a behind closed doors friendly against Portsmouth at the end of January.
Ferguson has endured constant setbacks since arriving at the club in July 2020 with a knee problem before rupturing his Achilles tendon a year later. His latest injury is expected to keep him out for between six and eight weeks.
Vieira confirmed that barring Ferguson and Gallagher, he had a full squad from which to choose for the visit of Chelsea.
“Everything has been good,” the Frenchman told reporters on Friday afternoon. “Training was OK. [There are] no injuries outside of Nathan Ferguson.”
Vieira also commented on the fitness of Will Hughes after the midfielder was taken off against Brentford with a slight knock.
“Will is feeling much better,” he added. “He managed to do a few training sessions with the team this week so he’ll be in the squad for tomorrow.”
Cheikhou Kouyate is back in contention meanwhile and could go straight into the starting XI after having time off following Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations victory.
Vieira also has the experienced James McArthur available with the Scotsman having made his long-awaited return from injury off the bench against the Bees.
In Chelsea’s camp, Mason Mount is set to miss the match on Saturday after picking up an ankle injury at the Club World Cup.
The English midfielder was substituted during the first-half of the final against Palmeiras, with Tuchel confirming afterwards he had been withdrawn due to injury.
“It was in one of the first actions, he had a run at the back post with Azpilicueta,” the German coach explained. “They fell and his opponent fell on his ankle and he hurt his ligaments badly. So we have to see. It’s an injury.
"He came to me and said he didn’t feel good, stiff and painful. He didn’t know if he could continue so we took the decision.”
Mount is expected to be out of action for up to two weeks, joining Ben Chilwell and Reece James on the treatment table.
Former Palace loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be back for the Blues at Selhurst Park however after missing the Club World Cup with a slight injury.
