Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson Set for Injury Layoff After Ankle Pain

Crystal Palace will be without goalkeeper Dean Henderson for a demanding run of fixtures after the club decided the pain from a pre-season injury had become too severe for him to continue playing through. The 29-year-old missed Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Ipswich Town and is set to sit out Palace’s Europa League opening tie against Lech Poznan on Thursday and the Premier League visit to Leeds United on Sunday.

Henderson injury leaves Palace short at a crucial point

Henderson has been carrying the problem since Palace’s summer friendly defeat against Freiburg. Although he has featured during the opening weeks of the campaign, his training workload has been restricted and the club have now opted against further risk.

Pierre Sage said the goalkeeper had performed well despite the issue, but made clear that the level of discomfort had forced a change. Henderson, Palace’s established first-choice goalkeeper and captain, was not included in the squad for the Ipswich match.

The absence also affects England. Henderson is expected to pull out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for three UEFA Nations League group fixtures across late September and early October.

1. Henderson sustained the injury in the pre-season loss to Freiburg.
2. He continued to play during the start of the season despite limited training.
3. Palace omitted him from the matchday group for the 3-2 home defeat by Ipswich Town.
4. He is now due to miss the Lech Poznan match and the league trip to Leeds, while England will also be without him for their Nations League programme.

Sage raises standards after defensive concerns

The goalkeeper situation comes after a difficult defensive opening to the Premier League season. Palace have conceded 11 goals in their first four league matches, and Sage responded to the Ipswich setback by leaving centre-back Jaydee Canvot out of his squad.

Canvot, 20, is highly regarded at Palace, but Sage described the decision as one based on performance. The manager was dissatisfied with the defender’s display against Fulham and with his work in training during the following week.

Sage has spoken directly with Canvot and told him that a response is required when the squad returns on Monday. He believes the young defender has the ability to improve, but selection will depend on him showing more.

No guaranteed places in Palace’s selection policy

Sage’s message extended beyond Canvot. He said every team selection is made with the aim of giving Palace the best chance of winning or changing a match, rather than offering players comfort or status.

The Palace manager does not believe omitting players is enjoyable, but expects a positive reaction from those left out. He also stressed that he did not see a side that stopped competing against Ipswich, despite the defeat.

• Henderson’s injury dates back to the Freiburg friendly and has limited his training.
• Palace have chosen not to expose their first-choice goalkeeper to further pain.
• The 29-year-old is expected to miss club matches against Lech Poznan and Leeds United, plus England’s three Nations League games.
• Canvot’s omission followed concerns over his Fulham performance and subsequent training standards.
• Sage wants full intensity from his squad and is prepared to make difficult selection calls when he feels standards have dropped.