Despite recently returning to first-team training, Jean-Philippe Mateta remains sidelined. He will not take part in Crystal Palace’s UEFA Europa League encounter against Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday night.
The France international has been contending with a muscular injury since the start of the season. It has meant that his minutes have been severely limited. The game will mark Pierre Sage’s return to Lyon, the club he supports and the one that he once managed. The Frenchman will also be without goalkeeper Dean Henderson, meaning that former OGC Nice shotstopper Walter Benitez will start for the Eagles at the Groupama Stadium this evening.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is another absentee that the Premier League side must contend with, as is Chadi Riad. French centre-backs Axel Disasi and Jaydee Canvot will both likely start.
Crystal Palace likely line-up v Lyon
Walter Benitez; Jaydee Canvot, Axel Disasi, Chris Richards; Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, Quinten Timber, Oscar Mingueza; Eddie Nketiah, Yeremy Pino, Daichi Kamada. (L’Éq)