Tuchel delivers encouraging injury update on Palace ace Marc Guehi ahead of England qualifiers | OneFootball

England and Crystal Palace fans can breathe a little easier after Thomas Tuchel confirmed that defender Marc Guehi has suffered “no structural damage” to his foot injury. 

The news comes as a major relief following fears that the centre-back’s knock in Palace’s 3-1 Europa Conference League victory over AZ Alkmaar last week could have been more serious.

Guehi limped off the pitch late in that European encounter after being booked and was forced to sit out Palace’s goalless draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner had raised concerns about the extent of the injury, admitting over the weekend that his captain “can’t even walk.”

However, Tuchel’s latest update paints a much brighter picture for both club and country.

The England boss confirmed that Guehi will not feature in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia but hinted that the defender could return for the final group match against Albania in Tirana on Sunday.

“With Marc, it is very painful, but there is no structural damage, so it is all about the pain,” Tuchel said (via The Standard).

“There is a possibility that overnight, from one day to the next, that we have a significant improvement.

“So we are working, realistically, towards the second game. If he is not in training, let’s say, on Friday or Saturday, then we will not make him travel. Then he gets rest and treatment and can stay in London.”

Tuchel also praised Guehi’s attitude and influence within the England set-up, describing him as “one of the leaders” in the squad.

“He wants to stay with us, and we wanted him to stay close,” Tuchel added.

“He is one of the leaders, he is an important member of the team, he is an important glue between many players, and it is nice to see.

“He tries everything to be included in the second match, and we wanted to have the opportunity, that is why we assess him every day.”

Meanwhile, Guehi’s contract with Palace runs out next summer, and the defender is poised to leave Selhurst Park, with a plethora of clubs interested in luring him away from South London.