West Ham have suffered another major injury setback with Marko Arnautovic having been ruled until the New Year with a hamstring injury.
The Austrian international had to be substituted five minutes before halftime in the Hammers’ 3-1 win over Cardiff City.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini has, however, played down fears about Jack Wilshere’s absence from the squad against the Bluebirds. The former Arsenal midfielder came on as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Newcastle last week but was not included on Tuesday night. His absence is said to be precautionary and he is likely to return to face Crystal Palace this weekend.
Fullback Aaron Cresswell was also a notable absentee midweek. The 28-year-old was replaced by Arthur Masuaku after picking up a hamstring injury and is a doubt for the game against the Eagles.
Fabian Balbuena, meanwhile, was also unable to start on Tuesday due to a dead leg, but the Paraguayan did make the bench and could return to the starting eleven at the weekend.
Manuel Lanzini (knee), Andriy Yarmolenko (Achilles), Winston Read (knee), Ryan Fredericks (shin) and Carlos Sanchez (knee) remain on the long-term injury list.
In terms of Crystal Palace, Roy Hodgson has an almost fully fit squad to choose from. Christian Benteke (knee) is still a few weeks away from making his first-team return, and Scott Dann is still building up his fitness after a year out. Connor Wickham is back in training after picking up a thigh injury.
At the bookies, West Ham
West Ham’s Predicted XI To Face Crystal Palace:
Fabianski, Zabaleta, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku, Snodgrass, Rice, Noble, Anderson, Javier Hernandez, Lucas Perez
Crystal Palace’s Predicted XI:
Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Meyer, McArthur, Townsend, Ayew, Zaha
Predicted Score – 2-0 to West Ham
