City to field strongest line up against Palace

Last updated : 10 January 2012 By Michael Morris

palaceKevin McNaughton is fit again after missing the last few games. Rudy Gestede, who limped off at The Hawthorns is the only injury concern.

So while City will bring back Marshall, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie, Whittingham, Miller etc the propaganda from Selhurst Park is all about how illness is threatening to leave Dougie Freedman with barely a squad to assemble.

I appreciate that The Eagles have sickness concerns but the drama being made of it in the press makes one rather cynical about it.

Freedman has seen several senior players laid low with a virus but I would expect to see Palace name close to their strongest side as well.

“Hopefully, it’s not going to get any worse, we’ve just got to get on with it,” Freedman said.

He is concerned the virus could leave him short of experienced players and that could result in his side losing the first leg when they have home advantage.

He said: “Things can always be worse and that’s the challenge, we could be losing heading into the second leg with these problems. The players have been coming in throughout the day and have trained in different units.”

Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
Tonight, 8:00pm
Live on Sky