Crystal Palace have had a nightmare few days following their defeat to Brighton, as Marc Guehi and Michael Olise picked up injuries.
Young winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi recently returned to training, and after Crystal Palace rejected loan offers for him last week, he could have become an option to help replace Olise.
However, Roy Hodgson has been handed a further problem, as the 21-year-old has suffered a setback in his recovery.
The youngster is a player Palace fans have been desperate to see in the lineup, and with Olise now absent, he could have been a much more popular pick than Jeffrey Schlupp or Will Hughes.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi suffers injury blow
A report from The Standard has now highlighted how Rak-Sakyi was attempting to build his fitness with Palace’s under-21 side, and started in their Premier League Cup victory against Ipswich last night.
The winger started on the left side of attack, but was forced off with an injury and could not continue, in a huge blow for the starlet.
It is unclear how long he will be out for again, and given the other injuries in the senior side, this could have been the perfect opportunity to give him a run.
Would Hodgson have used Rak-Sakyi?
Hodgson has been heavily criticised for failing to trust the young players within his squad, whilst also throwing them under the bus after defeats on a number of occasions.
Rak-Sakyi’s loan move away being blocked was initially a negative, as it seemed unlikely that the under-pressure manager would have given him a chance. However, his hand may have been forced with Olise and Eberechi Eze both injured.
Rak-Sakyi was described as a “top player” by Guehi earlier this season, and is an outstanding young talent. Whilst it would be good for him to gain a chance if he regains his fitness quickly, there may be a lot of pressure on him given Olise’s absence and Palace’s poor form.
