Crystal Palace have been dealt a significant blow as winger Michael Olise is set to spend a minimum of two months on the sidelines due to his latest hamstring injury, sustained in Saturday's 4-1 loss to Brighton.
Initial concerns suggest Olise could miss six to eight weeks, but the actual duration depends on the progress of his rehabilitation. This setback comes shortly after the player's return from a prior hamstring issue, having featured in last Tuesday's 3-2 win against Sheffield United.
Despite limping off in discomfort during the win over the Blades, Olise was named on the bench for the match against Brighton. However, he was introduced at half-time by head coach Roy Hodgson, only to be substituted 11 minutes later due to the recurring hamstring problem.
This unfortunate turn of events leaves Crystal Palace without one of their key players for an extended period, posing a challenge to the club's efforts to avoid a relegation battle.
"I was told he couldn't start the game, everyone was quite comfortable with that," Hodgson said after the game. "But they told me, and he told me, he was fine to be on the bench and to play in the second half."
"Unfortunately I don't have a crystal ball and I wasn't to know that would lead to a recurrence of his injury."
