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Crystal Palace injury update: Mandanda ruled out of Manchester City clash

Crystal Palace's Steve Mandanda (REUTERS)
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The Eagles goalkeeper sustained a knee injury on international duty.

Crystal Palace's Steve MandandaCrystal Palace’s Steve Mandanda

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has told the club’s official website that goalkeeper Steve Mandanda will not be fit to feature when his side welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The French international picked up a knock in training with Les Bleus over the international break which is enough to keep him out of the visit from Pep Guardiola’s men.

“Steve Mandanda has got a knee injury which will keep him out from the game on Saturday, so Wayne [Hennessey] will play,” Pardew said.

“We don’t think it’s too bad, but we’re not exactly sure yet. We think only a couple of weeks.”

Tottenham's Harry Kane in action with Crystal Palace's Joe LedleyJoe Ledley (R) is a doubt for Saturday’s match

In addition to Mandanda, midfielder Joe Ledley is also a doubt for the match with a knock.

“Joe Ledley we’re sweating on, in terms of whether he’ll be available. Everybody else from Burnley is fit,” Pardew said.

Mandanda has played in all but two of Palace’s 11 Premier League matches since arriving from Marseille in the summer, and has generally impressed.

Wales' Wayne HennesseyWayne Hennessey

His absence opens up an opportunity for Welsh international Wayne Hennessey, who played in Palace’s first two league fixtures of the season but has not featured since apart from in the EFL Cup defeat to Southampton.

Chung-yong Lee is another doubt, with long-term absentees Loic Remy and Pape Souare definitely out.

Palace’s agonising late defeat at Burnley prior to the international break means they are just one point above the bottom three going into this weekend.

Crystal Palace manager Alan PardewCrystal Palace manager Alan Pardew

The loss at Turf Moor was their fourth defeat in a row and continued Palace’s dismal record overall in 2016; no team has picked up less points per match than Crystal Palace’s 0.73 in the calendar year.

Eagles fans hoped that three straight wins in September were a sign of things to come, but Palace have not won since then and pressure is starting to build on Alan Pardew.

In such circumstances, a visit from Manchester City is not ideal. Pep Guardiola’s side may have won just once in five matches but they carry a significant attacking threat and scored 10 goals in three matches against Palace last season.

Can the Eagles upset the odds on Saturday? Leave your thoughts below.