Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi 'to miss up to eight weeks after knee surgery'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 29 February 2024

Palace's Guehi 'to miss up to eight weeks after knee surgery'

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing minor knee surgery, putting his Euro 2024 chances in doubt.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has been ruled out for between six and eight weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery.

Guehi was forced off in the first half of Palace's 4-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month, and has missed the following three games.

The club were initially optimistic that the issue would not keep the centre-back out for too long, but the news today is less than promising.

The Daily Mail claims that the 23-year-old will miss potentially two months worth of action, as the surgery was required to sort out an issue in the knee joint.

Guehi is set to return before the end of the season unless there are any complications or recurrences in his recovery, but it leaves his Euro 2024 chances hanging in the balance.

The injury will see him miss England's two March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium - the last matches before Gareth Southgate names his squad for the finals in Germany.

Guehi has been one of England's main backup defenders over the past few years, behind John Stones and Harry Maguire, but a lack of game time heading into the summer could scupper his chances.

England's Marc Guehi and Reece James during training on March 21, 2023 © Reuters

It will also be a huge blow to Crystal Palace in their bid to move away from the relegation zone, as Guehi has been one of the first names on the team sheet alongside Joachim Andersen at the back.

A crucial win over Burnley at the weekend in Oliver Glasner's first game in charge moved the Eagles eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Losing another vital player for up to two months will likely see Palace suffer though, with Michael Olise also out for a similar length of time.

It may also be detrimental to Glasner's hopes of playing a back three, which he implemented in the win over Burnley.

Chris Richards is set for an extended spell in the side after scoring his first goal for the club on Saturday, while there could also be a renaissance for Joel Ward, who was the third centre-back in the 3-0 success.

The news that Eberechi Eze is expected to be with the squad at the weekend has softened the blow slightly, as the playmaker is on course to make a comeback after returning to training last week.

A trip across London to face Tottenham Hotspur is up next for Glasner and Palace on Saturday, as Eze will look to be fit in time to start, but there will be no Guehi or Olise for the Eagles.