Crystal Palace have been handed a major boost as Michael Olise has returned from injury, but there needs to be caution over him.
Olise has missed significant chunks of this season with injury, but has been sensational in his limited appearances, with five goals and an assist in nine Premier League games.
He has now returned to training and is in the squad for tonight, but it is yet to be decided whether he will start in what is an important game against Sheffield United.
Roy Hodgson makes Michael Olise fitness admission
Speaking in a press conference yesterday, Roy Hodgson claimed that a late decision would be taken over whether Olise starts at Selhurst Park tonight.
“He’s available to [start]. But he had a very, very long spell out. He came back, and then he’s been out for a further four weeks with an injury in a similar part of the body,” he stated.
“You can understand that the doctors and the sports scientists are very concerned. I understand them too, but I also trust Michael and how he thinks and feels.
“I will speak to him again tomorrow before the game, and if he were to assure me: ‘Don’t worry, I can play, I want to start’, I would start him. But if he, alongside the medical people, suggested it might be a bit soon and said ‘I’m not certain that I feel ready for it’, I would respect that too.”
Hodgson needs to trust his medical staff over Olise
Reports earlier this season indicated that Hodgson went against the advice of his medical team and overplayed Olise, leading to further injury.
The 22-year-old missed the start of the campaign, but put together a run of games before being forced off in a victory over Brentford, with fans critical of Hodgson’s decision to keep him on the pitch at 3-1 up.
Although this game could potentially be make or break for Hodgson’s job at Crystal Palace, if the medical advice is to not rush Olise back, Hodgson simply must listen to it and not risk another long-term problem.
His comments indicate that if Olise declares himself fit, he will start, but there needs to be more caution over him. The player will obviously want to play even if he is not yet ready, and he should perhaps be eased back, rather than thrown straight into the deep end.
