Crystal Palace will be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa.
In addition to a significant injury list, the Eagles will be missing influential midfielder Daichi Kamada, who must serve a suspension after receiving a red card against Fulham last time out.
Not only is Kamada unavailable to under-fire coach Oliver Glasner, but Eberechi Eze is still completing his comeback from a hamstring problem, and the England international will not be ready to start.
Adam Wharton has also been ruled out, but Jefferson Lerma and Chadi Riad could both be back from injury, while Will Hughes can return after serving a one-match ban; furthermore, Cheick Doucoure could start his first league game since mid-September.
All of which means that Glasner's makeshift midfield pairing of England centre-back Marc Guehi and Premier League debutant Justin Devenny should be broken up, with the former dropping into defence and the latter being demoted to the bench.
Jean-Philippe Mateta - who played a part in four goals during last term's 5-0 win over Villa at Selhurst Park - will lead the line up front, supported by Ismaila Sarr and one other: Jeffrey Schlupp is perhaps the leading contender.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Doucoure, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Schlupp; Mateta
> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for this Premier League contest
Jonathan O'Shea
