Crystal Palace suffer double injury blow ahead of Conference League final
Crystal Palace have suffered a major defensive setback just 10 days before their first Conference League final after Chris Richards and Chadi Riad sustained injuries against Brentford.
The Eagles face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on 27 May, leaving manager Oliver Glasner with a race against time to resolve his sudden defensive crisis.
Both centre-backs were forced off during a challenging Premier League draw where the south London club twice surrendered leads.
Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton had put the hosts ahead in the London derby, only for Dango Ouattara to strike twice for the Bees.
Glasner counts the cost of derby draw
Richards was introduced in the second half but lasted only 29 minutes before leaving the pitch visibly distressed.
Riad, who has impressed since returning from a long-term absence in January, also limped off with a suspected left leg problem.
Jefferson Lerma was brought on for the closing stages as the hosts struggled to cope with their makeshift backline.
Glasner admitted the enforced changes completely disrupted his team’s momentum.
“This game, the first 60 or 65 minutes were really top.”
the Austrian manager told Sky Sports.
“Then it got really tricky because we had to make two substitutions in the back which were not planned. We had to take them, we already had two others. We were struggling at the end.”
European showpiece and international doubts
The injury to Richards is particularly concerning given his immense contribution of 50 appearances across all competitions during this brilliant campaign.
Palace must navigate their domestic finale against Arsenal before turning their full attention to the historic continental showpiece in Germany.
Glasner is expected to provide a crucial update on the fitness of both defenders later this week.
The physical setbacks also threaten to derail upcoming international plans, with both men’s World Cup campaigns now reportedly left in doubt.
The American international had been expected to feature for the United States, while his defensive partner is due to represent Morocco.