Crystal Palace could be without goalkeeper and captain Dean Henderson for their opening Premier League fixture of the season at Everton, after fresh concerns emerged over a fitness issue picked up during pre-season.
The England international was withdrawn during Palace's pre-season friendly loss to Freiburg last weekend, a setback that has complicated new head coach Pierre Sage's preparations just days before the competitive campaign gets underway. Henderson was taken off after 60 minutes, with the club initially framing the change as one of several rotational substitutions planned in advance.
However, subsequent footage has cast doubt on that explanation. Henderson appeared to be moving gingerly in a video shared briefly on Palace's official Instagram account, filmed at the club's training base. The clip was later removed, but not before it fuelled speculation that the shot-stopper may not be fully fit to feature when Palace travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend.
With his recovery timeline unclear, deputy goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who replaced Henderson against Freiburg, could be handed the responsibility of starting between the posts if the captain is deemed unable to play. Sage's coaching staff will be closely monitoring Henderson's condition in training over the coming days before making a final call on his availability.
The uncertainty around Henderson comes at a sensitive moment for the south London club, who are entering a new chapter following the exit of Oliver Glasner. The Austrian departed Selhurst Park after his contract ran its course, bringing to an end a spell that included silverware and European qualification for the Eagles.
In his place, Palace turned to Sage, who joins from Ligue 1 outfit Lens with a growing reputation in French football. Under his guidance, Lens lifted the Coupe de France in May, securing the club's first major trophy since 1999 and marking Sage out as one of the more promising young coaches in Europe. His move to Selhurst Park represents a significant step up in profile, and expectations will be high as he looks to build on the foundations left behind by his predecessor.
Sage's first months in charge have yielded mixed results during the pre-season schedule, with performances varying as the squad adapts to his methods and tactical approach. The upcoming clash with Everton therefore represents an important early marker for the new manager, offering a chance to set the tone for the season ahead on the road at a ground where Palace will be keen to make a positive statement.
Should Henderson be ruled out, it would represent an unwelcome complication for Sage in only his first competitive fixture at the helm, robbing him of a key leadership figure between the sticks. Benitez, however, has previous experience deputising for the captain and would be expected to slot in without major disruption to the team's defensive structure.
Palace's medical staff are expected to assess Henderson in the build-up to matchday, with a decision on his fitness likely to go down to the wire. Regardless of who starts in goal, Sage will be hoping his side can begin the new Premier League season with a positive result on Merseyside, as he looks to stamp his own identity on a squad that enjoyed considerable success under Glasner in recent seasons.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).