Nigeria international, Chrisantus Uche, could feature for the first time in a Crystal Palace shirt when the Eagles host newly promoted Sunderland at Selhurst Park on Saturday in the Premier League.
Palace boss, Oliver Glasner, dropped the hint during his pre-match press conference on Friday, confirming that the summer signing is in contention alongside fellow newcomer Jaydee Canvot.
The Austrian manager, however, ruled out Adam Wharton, Ismaïla Sarr and Eddie Nketiah, noting the trio are still recovering from injury setbacks.
On a positive note, Glasner revealed that Spanish winger Yeremy Pino, who came off the bench in the recent win over Aston Villa, could be handed his first Palace start.
“Fortunately, all the international players came back healthy and fit so that everybody of them is available. The injured players are progressing very well.
“At the moment it looks like Adam Wharton, Ismaïla Sarr and Eddie Nketiah are available at least against Liverpool, so in two weeks. That’s a great job from our medical department.
“Tomorrow none of them are available. Millwall, none of them is available, maybe Adam and Eddie have a chance for West Ham.
“We have 18 fit on-field players – and all the new signings will be in the squad tomorrow. There is a good chance that Yeremy [Pino] makes his starting debut for Crystal Palace tomorrow.
“He just needed to rest during the international break. The first week of the international break he didn’t train. He had a small injury from his last game at Villarreal. But then he started preparing on Monday.”
Uche arrived at Selhurst Park this summer from Spanish side Getafe after helping the Super Eagles in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The midfielder came on as a second-half substitute in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against South Africa on Tuesday.
