Crystal Palace will not expect to have Michael Olise or Matheus Franco back until after the international break, as they continue to deal with the loss of Odsonned Eduardo against Fulham, according to Roy Hodgson.

Speaking after the 0-0 stalemate at Selhurst Park, Hodgson said: “We don’t anticipate either of them coming back in the next few days.”

I don’t think either of them will be available until after the international break, which is another couple of weeks away.

Even then, especially with Olise’s injury, which was very serious and he sustained it with France, we must be very careful not to have a situation where Wilf, who was playing in Turkey at the time, suffers a similar injury due to playing a little earlier, which caused Wilf to be out for three to four weeks before he made his debut with Galatasaray. Both Olise and Franco are progressing well and we are following the instructions of the medical team and physio. I don’t want to force a player to return earlier and then have to take the blame if something happens and we lose him for another couple of months.

NEWS NOW: Crystal Palace make a move on “wonderkid” after being placed on red alert

Crystal Palace are on the verge of signing a ‘wonderkid’ after tracking him for a while, a report says.

Crystal Palace Transfer News

Crystal Palace are close to finalising a new contract with Eze, a move that could be a huge boost for the club. Eze has been in the radar of many of the top clubs in the Premier League, including Manchester City, who are the reigning champions.

Not only are the Eagles keen to tie down some of their top attacking players, having already extended Michael Olise’s stay at Selhurst Park, but they could also target a new forward in the January transfer window, with Paris Saint Germain’s Hugo Ekitike said to be of interest.

Football Insider report that Roy Hodgson’s side are set to do battle for the 21-year-old with West Ham United, with both clubs of the belief that he could be one of the best options available on the market in mid-season. Ekitike is not the only youngster that Crystal Palace have their eye on, however, with The Sun reporting they are now looking to snap up 17-year-old Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray, having been put on red alert.

Everton are also credited with an interest in the Leeds ace, who the Eagles have now been tracking for some time, and the report suggests his current club would be willing to let him leave, should they miss out on promotion from the Championship this season.

Palace are now planning to swoop for the midfielder, as he is seen as a viable alternative to Blackburn Rovers’ Adam Wharton, who may end up being too expensive, although it is unclear how much Leeds themselves would look to hold out for.

The report speculates that Gray could help fill the void left by Olise, should the attacking midfielder leave the club in the near future, with the likes of Man City and Chelsea still believed to be keen despite him putting pen to paper on a new deal.

How good is Archie Gray?

The fact that the starlet has already managed to break into the Leeds first team despite only being 17-years-old is a sure-fire sign he could be destined for great things, so it is exciting news that Palace are in the race for his signature.