Crystal Palace: Joachim Andersen is out of Leeds United clash | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their trip to Leeds United in the Premier League after manager Patrick Vieira confirmed Joachim Andersen will not travel with the squad.

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The 25-year-old was unable to play any part in the Eagles’ 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa over the weekend after picking up a thigh problem, and it now appears as though he’s set for an extended stint on the sidelines.

“Joachim is not going to travel, he is not 100%,” revealed Vieira in Monday’s press conference, although there was also some positive news.

Star forward Eberechi Eze made his long-awaited return to first-team action last time out, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute following six months on the treatment table with an Achilles issue.

“I think it’s good for him, for the club and the fans,” said Vieira when asked for an update on his situation. “He needs to play games, he needs time to get to his best, and we will give him the support that he needs.”

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Crystal Palace fans will be gutted

Despite Eze’s impressive progress in his quest to return to full fitness, Palace supporters will be gutted to learn that Andersen will be absent for the potentially crucial clash at Elland Road this evening.

The south London outfit’s seven-game unbeaten run came crashing down on Saturday, and Vieira will be desperate to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

With only four points separating Leeds and Palace in the top-flight table, this midweek encounter could have a sizeable impact on the two sides’ fortunes for the rest of the campaign, and Andersen will be a big miss.

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As per WhoScored, Andersen has averaged 1.5 interceptions per league game throughout 2021/22, 2.9 clearances and a whopping 6.3 long balls, placing him in the top three for each metric when compared to his teammates.

With winnable fixtures against the likes of Southampton, Everton and Watford coming up over the next few weeks, Palace will be hoping to see Andersen back in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.