Sosa, Hughes and Guessand: Crystal Palace injury news and return dates ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk
Crystal Palace are gearing up for their Europa Conference League semi-final second leg with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Crystal Palace had an afternoon to forget last Sunday, as they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at Bournemouth in the Premier League. Adam Wharton, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were among the regular starters who began the game on the bench, with manager Oliver Glasner clearly giving a level of consideration to the Eagles’ next match.
Palace host Shakhtar Donestsk on Thursday night in the second-leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final, with the south Londoners in a strong position to progress, having secured a 3-1 win in Krakow last month. If Glasner’s side do get through, they’ll take on either Ligue 1 side Strasbourg or La Liga’s Rayo Vallecano in the final - this would be a huge achievement, having turned their season around after a particularly grim start to the year.
Heading into the Shakhtar game, the Eagles, who looked exhausted at times against the Cherries, will be looking to avoid burnout. We’ve rounded up the latest injury news concerning Palace, as the build-up to Thursday evening’s eagerly anticipated clash continues:
Crystal Palace injury news update
Will Hughes (illness): The ex-Watford prodigy would have started against Bournemouth last Sunday, but missed out on the match with an unspecified illness. He should be recovered in time for Thursday, and will be looking to add to the four substitute appearances he’s made in the Conference League so far this season. Expected return date: 7th May vs Shakhtar.
Borna Sosa (unknown): He missed out last weekend due to a “minor injury” the nature of which was not disclosed. It seems likely that it won’t be enough to keep him out of the squad to face Shakhtar. Similarly Chadi Riad should also be fine, having left the field against Bournemouth due to a cramp. Expected return date: 7th May vs Shakhtar.
Evann Guessand (knee): According to Glasner, the French forward has been working relentlessly on the training ground as he looks to overcome a knee problem. He wasn’t in the squad to face Bournemouth, as expected, but could well be brought on from the bench on Thursday night as he’s slowly introduced back into the side. He’ll also have half an eye on the World Cup this summer, where he’s likely to part of the Ivory Coast squad. Expected return date: 7th May vs Shakhtar.
Cheick Doucoure (knee): Palace’s £21m midfielder is a very much a long-term injury absentee, having not played for the club since early 2025. He won’t play again this season, but will be targeting a strong pre-season in the hope of reviving his career in 2026/27. He’s still got three years left on his current deal. Expected return date: pre-season training in June.
Eddie Nktetiah (hamstring): He’s not played for the club since back in December, when he injured his thigh against Tottenham. A setback last month in the form of a hamstring injury means he won’t play for Palace again this season. He’ll be looking to hit the ground running over the summer months along with Doucoure to ensure they’re in the new manager’s plans for next season amid a potential potential influx of new signings. Expected return date: pre-season training in June.