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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jack Rosser

Crystal Palace suffer Michael Olise injury scare as Arsenal clash and Chelsea FA Cup semi-final loom

Key man: Michael Olise has been superb for Crystal Palace since joining from Reading last summer

(Picture: Getty Images)

Crystal Palace have been dealt a potential injury blow after Michael Olise withdrew from the France Under-21s squad.

The 20-year-old has returned to south London after suffering "inflammation" in his left foot which, according to a statement from the French Football Federation, stopped him from training normally.

Olise has been a sensation since joining the Eagles from Championship side Reading for £8million last summer and had earned his first call-up to the France U21s, having previously represented them at U18 level.

The winger made his debut as a 64th-minute substitute in the 2-0 European U21 Championship qualification win over the Faroe Islands on Thursday, but will miss today's friendly against Northern Ireland.

Olise is also eligible to represent Nigeria, Algeria and England at international level and, earlier this month, England U21s boss Lee Carsley confirmed that he had tried to persuade him to join up with the Young Lions. Olise could still switch his allegiance in the future considering he has not yet represented France in senior football.

Palace boss Patrick Vieira will now be sweating over the fitness of one of his star players as the Eagles prepare to host Arsenal in the Premier League on Monday, April 4.

Vieira will hope the injury is nothing serious considering Palace are also gearing up for their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley on April 17.

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