All the team news ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace are in desperate need of a positive result this weekend.
Six defeats on the spin – including the remarkable 5-4 reverse at Swansea last time out – has seen Alan Pardew’s side drop to 17th in the Premier League, with only goal difference separating the Eagles from the bottom three.
Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye and team mates look dejected after defeat at Swansea
There is now huge pressure on Pardew to turn the situation around, starting this Saturday as Southampton visit Selhurst Park.
Claude Puel’s Saints sealed their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a superb 2-0 win at Arsenal in midweek and enter the weekend in the top half of the Premier League thanks to the win over Everton last weekend.
Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand celebrates scoring their second goal against Arsenal
Palace received a further blow this week with the news that striker Connor Wickham will be out for the season with a knee ligament injury, and the frontman will be joined on the sidelines this weekend by Yohan Cabaye, who is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season at the Liberty Stadium.
Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda is also out, with Wayne Hennessey needing to improve in the Frenchman’s absence, and Loic Remy, Jonathan Benteke and Pape Souare are long-term absentees.
Crystal Palace’s Connor Wickham (R) is out for the season
Dusan Tadic will again be absent for the visitors with a broken nose, but Puel told the club’s official website that the Serbian maestro is nearing a return.
“With the training sessions he could come back today or tomorrow but he has stayed three weeks without training session or games,” he said.
Dusan Tadic remains out for the visitors
“We want him to come back at a good physical level to play a strong game with us – he will wear a mask, but it’s a beautiful mask!”
Youngster Matt Targett and former Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy are also out for the visitors, while Jeremy Pied remains a long-term absentee.
Can Palace arrest their slide? Leave your predictions for the match below.
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