Crystal Palace face a nervous wait over the fitness of key defender Chris Richards ahead of their Premier League encounter with Fulham on New Year's Day.
Injury Blow After Spurs Defeat
The United States international was a notable absentee from the matchday squad as Oliver Glasner's side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Richards, who has been a pivotal figure in the Eagles' defence this season, starting all 17 of their Premier League games, sustained a foot injury during the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal.
The problem required stitches and left the centre-back watching from the stands at Selhurst Park as a scrappy goal from Archie Gray condemned Palace to a fifth consecutive game without a win in all competitions.
Glasner's Cautious Update on Fitness
Speaking after the loss, Glasner provided a mixed update on Richards's chances of featuring against Fulham. "We don't know if he's available for Fulham," the Austrian manager admitted. "His foot got stitched, but it's still swollen. It's going in the right direction, but you have to wear a boot and kick a ball, and with the wound right there, it's very, very painful."
Glasner concluded that it remains uncertain, stating: "And so again, it can be that he misses Fulham, it can be that he is available." This leaves Palace potentially without a defensive linchpin during a hectic festive schedule that has already seen the club play 30 matches before the turn of the year.
Palace's Struggles Highlight Need for Reinforcements
The defeat to Tottenham laid bare Palace's ongoing issues in front of goal. Glasner expressed his frustration, noting his side's dominance but lack of cutting edge. "I can't remember that a Crystal Palace side dominated a Tottenham side like they did today," he said. "But then leaving the pitch with a defeat makes it frustrating... we have to accept right now we lack a little bit of finishing quality in the team."
With the January transfer window opening imminently, Glasner hinted at the need for new signings. "If you watch our game today, it's pretty clear what we need," he said, putting the onus on the club's hierarchy. "It's a decision of Crystal Palace. If you're constantly underperforming in scoring goals... Yeah."
The upcoming fixture against Fulham now takes on added significance as Palace look to halt their poor run, potentially without one of their most consistent performers in Chris Richards.
