Crystal Palace face a hard away to trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday as the Premier League resumes this weekend after the global break. “In this league you can lose games in the blink of an eye”.
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“It is obviously a blow for the player and for us as a squad”.
“We needed something and now we move on to Middlesbrough, where both sides will see it as a chance to get points, so it should be a good one”.
Manager Alan Pardew says that striker Jonathan Benteke – the younger brother of Christian – will travel with the first-team squad to Middlesbrough.
“I thought it was important to get another midfield player”, Pardew said.
The France forward joined Palace from Chelsea on a season-long loan last month, having largely found himself on the bench since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2014.
“We are looking to play with the ball more and if you are going to play with the ball more, you can’t cut down on your security and he will add to that”.
M idfielder Yohan Cabaye is recovering from a groin problem sustained in the draw at Bournemouth before the global break, and is not expected to feature.
The manager refused to reveal if Flamini would start, owing to concerns over a potential lack of match fitness, but he has fitness doubts over fellow midfielders Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur.
Loic Remy has returned to Chelsea to receive treatment on an ankle problem – just 10 days after joining Crystal Palace on loan.
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Saturday’s meeting will be the first top-flight clash between the two in over a decade.
