Eberechi Eze is a key player for Crystal Palace – when fit (Photo: Getty)

Eberechi Eze’s injury is not as bad as first feared but the Crystal Palace star has been ruled out of this weekend’s clash against Chelsea.

Palace host their London rivals on Monday night, in what is a crucial Premier League game from both sides.

Woeful defeats to Liverpool and Wolves have left Chelsea 11th in the table though a surprisingly impressive FA Cup win at Aston Villa on Wednesday night has elevated some of the pressure off Mauricio Pochettino.

Meanwhile, a run of just three wins in 18 games has left the Eagles just five points clear of the relegation zone, with fans demanding Roy Hodgson be sacked and the owners to make great changes to the direction of the club.
One of the reasons for their struggling form is injuries to key players like Cheick Doucoure (calf) who is out for the season, while Michael Olise (hamstring) and Marc Guehi (knee) limped off during last weekend’s pitiful defeat at rivals Brighton.

It is not clear how long the pair will be out for but early indications suggest they are due an extended period on the sidelines.

Eze himself missed the Brighton loss having come off injured in the previous game against Sheffield United with a hamstring problem, with Hodgson musing: ‘We think that the damage is not quite as bad as we feared it might be, but it still could be bad.’

Michael Olise could be out for a few months with another hamstri...