Crystal Palace: Oliver Glasner issues update on Eddie Nketiah after Liverpool heroics | OneFootball

Eagles striker downed the Premier League champions but remains a fitness concern

Oliver Glasner says Eddie Nketiah’s minutes will continue to be managed as the Crystal Palace striker works his way back from a hamstring injury.

However, the 26-year-old has played just 30 minutes of football this season, and Glasner has stated that the player will not be rushed back as he recovers to full fitness.

Nketiah travelled with the squad to Poland alongside back-up goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who returned to training on Wednesday morning after missing the last two games with a dislocated finger.

Benitez’s return means Glasner has a near fully-fit squad to pick from ahead of Palace’s first-ever major European fixture.

“We always play the best available team. Saturday and Thursday means five days between games.

“If we think somebody needs a rest, they will get a rest. But we reward good performance,” Glasner continued, hinting at the fact that he could make changes against Dynamo Kyiv.

“That’s the best for a manager; we have many players who deserve to start.”

Following their victory over Liverpool, Palace extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 games, but Glasner admits he expects a tough game against Dynamo Kyiv, who themselves are unbeaten this season.

“We have huge respect for Dynamo Kyiv, they are one of the two big teams from Ukraine.

“They have had many great players. We have huge respect for them. We have anlaysed them and watched many games, they usually play in a 4-3-3 shape with good dribblers. They want possession and will try to dominate the game.

“This is their DNA. We don’t know exactly their shape, but we have watched many games and are prepared.”