Following defeat to Colchester United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, Roy Hodgson explained that three first team defenders were unavailable for the fixture.
Joel Ward, Patrick Van Aanholt and Jeffery Schlupp were not part of the squad and Hodgson revealed in the post match press conference that the players were out injured following the 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Saturday.
Jairo Riedewald, usually used in central midfield, and Sam Woods, a development squad centre back making his senior debut, came in for the injured players at left back and right back respectively on Tuesday night.
Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins are also sidelined with long term injuries leaving Palace short on defenders.
Hodgson could choose to play Martin Kelly at right back and pair Scott Dann and Gary Cahill at centre back for the upcoming fixture against Aston Villa this Saturday. Riedewald could also keep his place at left back, or 19 year old Tyrick Mitchell could be called upon if Van Aanholt and Schlupp are still out.
Hodgson said: “We had injuries to [Joel] Ward and [Jeffrey] Schlupp anyway, and we didn’t want to take a chance on them, with others still coming back.”
The three players played a huge part in the victory over Manchester United last weekend. Ward looked assured in defence and gave nothing away, Van Aanholt scored the late winner and Schlupp assisted Ayew’s opener so losing them would be a big loss.