Pardew’s loss is Jonathan Benteke’s gain as he will deputise in place of the injured Loic Remy at Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew before the match
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that Christian Benteke’s younger brother Jonathan will be part of the travelling Eagles squad to Teesside on Saturday when they face Middlesbrough.
The forward has moved up the pecking order after summer loanee Loic Remy succumbed to a thigh injury earlier this week.
It is expected that Remy will be out for up to two months and has returned to parent club Chelsea where he will receive treatment to help rectify the issue.
Speaking on the injury Pardew said “It is a tear in his thigh in an area where recovery is difficult, affecting his shooting.
“We have to be careful with him. We are so disappointed because he’d looked great, and it was a very innocuous moment on the training ground. Sadly that happens. Fortunately we have enough cover to cope without him for this period.”
Loic Remy celebrates after scoring the first goal for Chelsea
21 year-old Jonathan Benteke was originally bought to be part of the club’s development side and prosper in youth football, however the Remy injury has left Pardew with limited options in the attacking areas, with Freddie Ladapo sent out on loan.
Palace also have Connor Wickham and Kwesi Appiah available. Pardew added: “He is a young striker with natural talent, and they are not easy to find. This one was because of Christian, really. He highlighted him to us.
“We checked him out and liked the look of him. It was not a big fee so he comes here under no pressure. He is not up to his brother’s level yet, he would readily admit that, because Christian is a top-line player. But Jonathan is very enthusiastic and has settled in very well. Hopefully he might surprise one or two.”
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke appeals to Mike Dean
Jonathan Benteke spent two seasons at Belgian club Zulte-Waregam featuring 21 times scoring two goals although in two seasons at the club he only started twice.
Yohan Cabaye will miss the trip to Boro as the Frenchman continues his recovery from a groin injury which ruled him out of the France squad over the recent international window.
The likes of James McArthur and Bakary Sako will also need to be checked ahead of the game at the Riverside stadium, while Mathieu Flamini who signed earlier this week on a free, will travel with the squad.
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