Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew previewed tomorrow’s Premier League fixture against West Ham United and also provided an injury update in his pre-match press conference.
Pardew admitted that defender Scott Dann “won’t make this game” but “should be available for the next one” against Leicester City on 22 October.
“Other than that,” Pardew added, “we are okay.”
No update on Souare
Pardew, who comes up against his former side tomorrow, refused to offer an update on Pape Souare who is expected to be out for the rest of the season. The left-back was involved in an horrific car accident last month, suffering injuries to his thigh, jaw and nose.
Meanwhile, the Eagles boss added that on-loan striker Loic Remy should be back between the “end of November and early December.”
Remy, a summer signing from Chelsea, is still yet to appear for Palace having picked up an injury while training during his first week at the club.
International break has its benefits just as much as its negatives, claims Pardew
The former Newcastle United manager said that international breaks can “work for you and they can work against you.”
The South Londoners had several players away on international duty, including club-record signing Christian Benteke who hit a hat-trick for Belgium against Gibraltar in midweek. The striker’s first goal came after just eight seconds, a record for World Cup competition.
Pardew was asked if Benteke had been the catalyst to his side’s recent good form – five games unbeaten – and although he felt that the £32 million forward has made a significant impact, Pardew felt his side were playing well before his arrival in late August.
Pardew insisted that his team deserved “a point at Tottenham” and should have “beaten West Brom.” Four points which would currently see Palace sat in fifth on 15 points.
Eagles boss offers empathy to West Ham
“Moving to a new stadium can take away years of tradition,” Pardew commented when quizzed on his former club’s poor run.
Pardew managed the Hammers between 2003 and 2006, guiding them to an FA Cup final in his last year. He also helped them achieve a ninth-place finish that same season but was sacked in December 2006 after a 4-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
Pardew says he has “no doubts” that West Ham boss Slaven Bilic will “get it right sooner rather than later,” after the East Londoners had endured a difficult start to the campaign. Defeat in the Europa League, which Pardew himself feels can be “disruptive”, has been one of the lowest points of their season so far, along with 4-2 defeats to both Watford and West Brom.