Crystal Palace dealt blow ahead of Arsenal showdown as injury latest revealed | OneFootball

Defender hobbled off in draw with Brentford last week

Chris Richards was not in Crystal Palace training ahead of their Premier League clash at home to Arsenal.

Richards was helped off the pitch at full-time with an ankle injury following a collision with Igor Thiago as Palace drew 2-2 away to Brentford last weekend.

Oliver Glasner confirmed after the game that Richards had twisted his ankle, but said he hoped to have the American international back training this week.

“Chris I think twisted his ankle,” he said. “I think Thiago landed on his ankle and then it twisted, it's quite swollen so we have to assess it further, but hopefully he can return in the midweek."

Richards was subsequently not pictured as Palace hosted an open training session in preparation for next Wednesday’s Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

Injury concern: Chris Richards

PA

The former Bayern Munich centre-back was spotted on Friday morning with strapping on his left ankle.

Chadi Riad and Maxence Lacroix also appeared to suffer knocks against Brentford, but the pair were pictured in training at Copers Cope.

The same could be said of left-back Borna Sosa, who was back in training having missed the last four Premier League games.

Glasner is expected to give an update on his squads’ fitness when he speaks to the media later this afternoon.

Palace host the newly-crowned Premier League title winners Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Sunday before travelling to Leipzig for the Conference League final.

Mikel Arteta’s men won their first Premier League title in 22 years on Tuesday as Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.