EBERECHI EZE faces being ruled out for the rest of this year after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
The Crystal Palace midfielder has been one of the most impressive young players in the Premier League this season having made the move to Selhurst Park last summer.
But Eze, 22, pulled up in agony in training ahead of the clash with Arsenal and Palace medics fear a serious injury.
Results of scans which took place today are due back before the end of the week and the worry is he has completely ruptured the tendon.
If that is the case it would mean the England under-21 star would be sidelined for the remainder of 2021 – and then have to work his way back slowly before he is fully fit.
The injury is a major blow to Palace who wanted to build a side around Eze as they prepare for a new era following the departure of Roy Hodgson.
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At present 15 first team squad players are out of contract this summer and waiting for decisions to be made over their futures.
The London club know they will need to be busy overhauling their squad to give whoever they bring in as the new manager the best chance of keeping the side competitive in the Premier League.
Eze was seen as central to their plans for a bright, emerging side, and also because he takes away the reliance on Wilfried Zaha as the creative force in the side.
It would also mean chairman Steve Parish may have to again hold firm and resist any offers that might come in for Zaha over the close season.
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Meanwhile, former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is reportedly in talks to replace Hodgson in the Palace dugout.
The newly-inducted Premier League Hall of Famer is the bookies’ favourite for the job.
It comes after ex-Bournemouth gaffer Eddie Howe reportedly ruled himself out of the running as he eyes the Celtic hot seat.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
