CRYSTAL Palace have suffered an injury blow ahead of the visit of Newcastle United, with Rob Holding’s ill-fated season taking another unfortunate turn.
The ex-Arsenal defender has suffered a fresh hamstring injury and is likely to miss at least the next two matches, including Wednesday’s Premier League clash with the Magpies.
It is the latest setback for Holding, who after joining from the Gunners for £4million last summer struggled to break into the first team.
The 28-year-old then underwent ankle surgery and, having recovered, won a place on the bench for Sunday’s 5-2 victory over West Ham.
His start against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in September remains his only appearance for Palace.
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“Unfortunately Rob Holding is injured again,” said Eagles boss Oliver Glasner, who otherwise has a fully fit squad for the Newcastle showdown.
“It’s tough because he’s just back from injury. We don’t know the degree but it’s something with his hamstring, so we don’t know how long it will take.
“He will definitely miss the Newcastle game and I think Saturday against Fulham.
“When you come back after a long injury and work so hard, and then see him smiling in training with the team and his first time in the squad…
“But sometimes it happens, especially if you are not used to team training or your body isn’t used to it.
“It happened and we have to accept and learn from it so that it doesn’t happen again.”
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