Roy Hodgson says Odsonne Edouard is “touch and go” to face Brentford, but the form of Jean-Philippe Mateta means Crystal Palace do not need to rush him back.
Mateta is excelling for Palace in Edouard's absence and caused problems for Chelsea in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year-old striker scored against Liverpool and Manchester City and is again expected to lead the line in a crucial clash at home to Brentford on Saturday.
Ahead of that match, Hodgson has revealed Edouard is edging closer to his return from injury but ruled out a return for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Hodgson said: "Sam Johnstone, no. For Odsonne Edouard, we will see in the training sessions as he has been training but not with us.
“He has been doing his rehabilitation work with the sports science people. We will find out if he can be with us, but it will be touch and go.
“The way JP Mateta is playing, I don't think getting him back will be a 100 per cent priority.
“We have a centre forward who is doing a good job, but it will be good to get Edouard back to provide competition that JP provided when he was the No1 choice. He has been very good, I am really impressed with JP."
Hodgson has also revealed Jordan Ayew will play his last match before joining Ghana's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hodgson’s position is coming under scrutiny, with Palace winless in eight matches and now just three points above the relegation zone.
Hodgson believes performances have been better than results and insists he is not panicking.
"People work from the results backwards but I would be more concerned if we were playing badly and didn't have the Eberechi Ezes and Michael Olises back to help us change the results," he said.
"I think we've got goals in us with Edouard coming back, I really do. Avoiding relegation will be our main concern.
"We are better than that but this is a different level. We have given such good performances against top opponents, so that should give me heart."
