Weekend Briefing: team news, injuries & suspensions

Crystal Palace problems mounting

FA Cup third-round weekend was the worst of all worlds for injury-hit Crystal Palace, who went out of the competition with a 1-0 defeat at home to Derby and lost the services of three more players.

Winger Max Meyer and defender Jairo Riedewald went off injured and midfielder Luka Milivojevic was sent off for violent conduct, triggering a three-game ban.

After the game exasperated Palace boss Roy Hodgson said: "How many injury problems do you need before someone says in actual fact it is very difficult to field a team. Counting those two, that makes 11."

One of the 11 absentees is offensive talisman Wilfried Zaha, who is likely to return when Palace take on Arsenal at Selhurst Park this weekend.

Zaha played through the Christmas period with a minor injury but was not risked against Derby. However, given a full week's rest, he is expected to return to contention and Christian Benteke could also feature after recovering from a muscle strain.

Four on the mend for Newcastle United

Newcastle must contend with an FA Cup third-round replay at home to Rochdale next Tuesday but their squad has been strengthened with four senior players returning to training.

Exciting winger Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) is ready to feature for the first time since mid-December and has been joined on the comeback trail by defenders Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, who have returned to training.

Winger Matt Ritchie and midfielder Sung-Yeung Ki made their returns from injury as second-half substitutes in the 1-1 draw at Rochdale and centre-forward Andy Carroll, who missed the game with a minor hip injury, is also in contention to face Wolves at Molineux.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce will be delighted to have a few more options but he cannot call on Fabian Schar, Jonjo Shelvey, Jetro Willems or Javier Manquillo, who remain sidelined.

Charlton lifted by returning players

Charlton have been battling an injury crisis for the last couple of months but there is some light at the end of the tunnel after midfielder Jonny Williams and striker Tomer Hemed returned to action.

Both came off the bench during Sunday's 1-0 FA Cup loss at home to West Brom and could be pushing for starts when the Addicks face the same opposition at the Valley.

Williams and Hemed were making their first appearances since October and their availability is a huge boost for Charlton boss Lee Bowyer, who has been relying heavily on younger players.

Bowyer's starting side against Albion included full debuts for 16-year-old midfielder Aaron Henry, 19-year-old midfielder Abraham Odoh and right-back Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu.

Wigan Athletic wait on Joe Williams

Wigan will not have been too disheartened by the outcome of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Leicester in a game they were long odds-on to lose, but they are likely to be frustrated by picking up injuries.

Defender Dujon Sterling had to go off just before half-time with a hamstring strain and on-loan Everton midfielder Joe Williams limped off in injury-time.

Williams missed a month through injury in November and December and Wigan are hoping that his latest problem will not keep him out as long.

The Latics are third-bottom in the Sky Bet Championship and are already without Kal Naismith (thigh), Michael Jacobs (hamstring), Charlie Mulgrew, Kieffer Moore (both calf) and Danny Fox (groin).

Eoin Doyle recall hurts Swindon Town

Swindon are top of Sky Bet League Two, three points clear of second-placed Exeter, but manager Richie Wellens is becoming increasingly concerned by a mounting injury list and the departure of top scorer Eoin Doyle, who was recalled by his parent club, Bradford, on Wednesday.

Wellens's side drew 1-1 at home to Bradford on Saturday, conceding an equalising goal in the 89th minute.

But the loss of two points was probably less painful than an injury to defender Zeki Fryers (groin) and a red card for midfielder Jordan Lyden, stretching an already threadbare squad.

Wellens is making do without centre-back Dion Conroy (knee), who is out for the season, and winger Keshi Anderson, who faces six-to-eight weeks on the sidelines with a muscle strain.

Swindon's pool of defenders has been further reduced by the departure of Gabriel Zakuani, whose short-term contract has not been extended, and Doyle's departure leaves a massive void in attack as they prepare for tomorrow's clash at home to fellow highfliers Crewe.

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