Crystal Palace could be without Eberechi Eze well into next season after the midfielder ruptured his Achillies in training on Tuesday.
Roy Hodgson revealed in his press conference ahead of what will be the manager’s final game in charge at Selhurst Park that the 22-year-old was a doubt to face Arsenal tonight.
However, the England U21 international is now looking much further ahead and will see a specialist today in order to ascertain whether or not surgery is required. Either way, Eze will miss the start of the new campaign.
The injury comes as a blow to the Eagles with Eze having impressed across his maiden Premier League season following his move from Queens Park Rangers last summer.
Hodgson has hailed the playmaker for his attitude and performances having swiftly made the transition from the Championship to the Premier League.
“He knows his ability. He knows he’s a good player,” Hodgson said recently.
“He knows what he’s got to keep doing to make certain that he maintains that level of play and continues to improve on it.
“He should have ambitions of playing for his country, there’s no doubt about that.”
After it was confirmed on Tuesday that Hodgson will depart following this season, Eze will have wanted to hit the ground running under a new manager, but will now have to bide his time before making an impression, while the injury could also alter Palace’s transfer plans for the summer.
Eze was pitched a role at the heart of the club’s overhaul of the squad when he made his £19million move across London, and now Hodgson’s successor will - for a time at least - be robbed of a key player.
It also means that should any interest arise in talisman Wilfried Zaha, chairman Steve Parish may be even more reluctant than in previous transfer windows to let the Ivory Coast international depart.
