With one of the worst injury records in the Premier League, Crystal Palace will be desperate to see key players return.
The Eagles are currently without several key players as a result of injury, much to Oliver Glasner’s frustration.
Crystal Palace’s injury record in 2024/25 shows that the Eagles have had the joint-third worst record, with the likes of Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze affected.
Wharton in particular was a concerning one, with the 20-year-old taking injections to make it through games for Crystal Palace. However, after an aggravation against Aston Villa in October, Wharton underwent surgery with a four-week return period expected.
Over the international break, Glasner was supposedly keeping in contact with Wharton every day to keep his spirits up – with this weekend against Villa likely too soon for the England international to make his comeback.
However, there is one Crystal Palace player who could be in line to make his return.
Chadi Riad tipped for return vs Aston Villa
While the prospects of wide-scale returns look slim right now for Crystal Palace – but according to reports Chadi Riad could actually be in line to return.
It comes according to a report from London World which claims that the Eagles will see a returning Riad this weekend.
Riad is expected to return from the knee injury which kept him out since August – a welcome return in central defence for Glasner.
Additionally, both Eze and Jefferson Lerma are expected to be in the running to return for Crystal Palace against Villa.
Crystal Palace’s summer signing has a huge role to play
Since joining the club, Riad has only been able to make two appearances – so he will effectively be like a brand-new signing upon returning.
As fixture congestion begins in December, £30,00-a-week defender Riad will get plenty of game time to show his quality.
Despite the 21-year-old struggling in his debut back in August, the defensive strength now possessed by Glasner should allow Riad to be integrated slowly like he always should have been.
Hopefully, he gets some minutes in the legs on Saturday and we begin to see the reasons Dougie Freedman brought him to the club.
