- Crystal Palace star Chris Richards picked up ankle injury
- Oliver Glasner rules him out of Arsenal game
- Austrian unsure if he’ll be fit for UECL final
Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Chris Richards will miss Crystal Palace’s clash with Arsenal on the final day of the season. The American defender picked up an ankle injury in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Brentford.
Richards played on but had to be helped off the pitch after the final whistle. He’s since been seen with his ankle strapped, and he didn’t participate in training ahead of the game against the newly crowned champions.
The 26-year-old has been crucial for Glasner this season, forming a fine partnership with Jaydee Canvot and Maxence Lacroix since the turn of the year. There are now concerns he might not be fit in time for the Conference League final.
Richards to miss final?
Palace face Rayo Vallecano in the final in Leipzig on May 27th. He therefore has six days to recover in time for the biggest game of the season.
Glasner gave an update on the Eagles star and it wasn’t a good one. He told reporters:
“He will miss Arsenal and it’s now 50/50 for the final in Leipzig, he has torn 2 ligaments in his ankle.”
Should Richards not be available for the final, it will be a massive blow for Glasner and his team. He’s been a mainstay in the Eagles’ backline this season, featuring in all but two of his side’s Conference League fixtures.
Glasner on rotating
Palace face Arsenal in the final game of their Premier League season and the match is a dead rubber. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have already been crowned champions while the Eagles can’t qualify for Europe and are safe from the drop.
Glasner touched on whether he’ll be heavily rotating for the game in light of Richards’ injury:
“I’ve changed my mind three times already… we won’t rotate 11 players.”
Glasner fielded a strong side for last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Brentford. But with just days before his final game in charge which is the first-ever European final in the club’s history, many will feel now is the time to ensure his key men are rested.
