Leeds United will come up against a Crystal Palace side without Wilfried Zaha or Vicente Guaita on Sunday afternoon (2pm) when they take on the Eagles at Elland Road in the Premier League.
Javi Gracia will be hoping his side can take advantage of a weakened Palace side on the weekend during a vital relegation battle. Leeds themselves will be without Max Wober and Tyler Adams for the crucial game, but Roy Hodgson has bemoaned his side's own injury concerns ahead of kick-off.
The 75-year-old officially ruled out Zaha and Guaita in his pre-match press conference on Friday when asked for the latest update on his squad's fitness concerns.
"It’s a groin strain [for Zaha], there's no question about that," he said. "We’re looking after him, he’s having treatment. The doctors and physios won’t put a timestamp on it, but there's a double-whammy with Vicente Guaita.
READ MORE: Leeds United legend says rivals Chelsea's hiring of Frank Lampard is 'total rubbish'
"He [Vicente] brought up his calf injury at half-time, and with our game coming up against Leeds we have to wait and see what our doctors say about him.
"It’s hard to cope without a player of Wilf’s calibre. It’s not just us, it’s any team in the league - if you lose a player of such importance and such quality, you’re going to miss him, there's no doubt about it.
"We’re lucky, in a sense, with Jordan Ayew and Jean-Philippe Mateta, as they’re bursting at the seams for an opportunity and with the game against Leeds we can see what they can do."
Zaha was replaced by Ayew during the win over Leicester and it would therefore seem logical for him to replace the Ivory Coast star in the starting line-up. Elsewhere, Sam Johnstone is expected to make his Premier League debut as he is set to deputise with the gloves in Guaita's absence.
Predicted Crystal Palace XI to take on Leeds United: Johnstone; Mitchell, Guehi, Andersen, Ward; Doucoure, Schlupp, Eze; Ayew, Olise, Edouard.
READ NEXT:
Former Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch favourite for Premier League job
Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa 'set to be confirmed' as Uruguay national team boss
Leeds United news as Ian Wright hails 'quality' Luis Sinisterra after Nottingham Forest winner
Jack Harrison sends 'unfinished business' warning after Leeds United extension
Leeds United predicted XI for Crystal Palace as Javi Gracia eyes back-to-back wins
