Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has admitted defender Chris Richards is facing a desperate battle to be fit for next week’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
The American centre-back suffered an ankle injury during Palace’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Brentford, leaving the Eagles sweating over his availability for the biggest European night in the club’s history.
Glasner confirmed Richards will miss Palace’s final league fixture against newly crowned champions Arsenal but insists the medical team is working around the clock to give him every chance of featuring in the final.
Speaking to reporters, Glasner revealed the extent of the injury while remaining hopeful the defender could still recover in time.
“He tore two ligaments in his ankle,” Glasner told press.
“Fortunately, I think you have four [in your ankle], so he is stable but it is quite swollen, so now we have to deal with the swelling.
“Of course, he needs to get back and he needs to get back on the pitch to be available and it will really be a race against time.
“He’s in from the morning, from sunrise until sunset, having treatments and doing everything he can do to reduce the swelling, but of course, we have a great medical department.
“We will give our best and of course, he will give his best. Let’s see if we can get it done.”
Glasner also expressed frustration after Palace’s request to move their final Premier League game against Arsenal to Saturday was rejected.
The Eagles will now have only two full days to prepare for Wednesday’s European showdown, while Vallecano were handed extra recovery time after their final LaLiga fixture against Deportivo Alaves was moved forward.
“We tried to move the game to Saturday,” Glasner said.
“This would help us for Wednesday, giving us one more day because Vallecano play on Saturday evening, so they [LaLiga] moved their game forward.
“We thought that because the league has already been decided, [it should be moved]. I didn’t call anybody, I just forwarded it in the club. But it didn’t work.”
Despite the injury concerns and scheduling frustrations, Crystal Palace remain focused on making history in their first-ever European final.
Richards has been a vital figure in Glasner’s defensive setup throughout the campaign, and his availability could prove crucial against a dangerous Vallecano side looking to cap off an impressive continental run.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
