Crystal Palace and England have received a welcome boost after head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that defender Marc Guehi has suffered no structural damage to his foot injury.
The 24-year-old centre-back picked up the problem late in Palace’s 3–1 Conference League victory over AZ Alkmaar last week and subsequently missed the 0–0 draw with Brighton on Sunday. Palace manager Oliver Glasner had initially raised concerns after admitting Guehi “couldn’t even walk,” but the latest update offers real encouragement ahead of the international break.
Tuchel, speaking from England’s training camp on Wednesday, said Guehi’s injury is painful but not serious — and hinted that a swift recovery could see him feature before the end of the current international window.
England hopeful Guehi can face Albania
Guehi will miss England’s clash with Serbia on Thursday but could return for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania in Tirana. Tuchel explained that the England staff are monitoring the player’s condition daily.
“With Marc it is very painful but there is no structural damage, so it is all about the pain,” Tuchel said. “There is a possibility that overnight we could see significant improvement. We’re working realistically towards the second game.”
He added that Guehi’s leadership within the squad made it important for him to remain with the group during recovery:
“He is one of the leaders, an important member of the team, an important glue between many players. He wants to stay with us, and we wanted him close.”
Palace relief ahead of Wolves clash
Crystal Palace’s medical team will continue to work with England’s staff to manage Guehi’s workload, with both sides keen to avoid aggravating the injury. The defender’s resilience and professionalism have been praised by Glasner throughout the season, and his availability could be pivotal when Palace return to Premier League action against Wolves at Molineux on 22 November.
For now, the outlook is far more positive than first feared, with no ligament or bone damage detected. The issue is instead linked to soft-tissue pain and swelling — something that should ease with rest and treatment.
| Stat (2025/26) | Marc Guehi |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 18 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Tackles per game | 2.2 |
| Clearances per game | 5.3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 86% |
source: Sofascore data – 12 November 2025
Those numbers underline why Guehi has become a key figure for both club and country — reliable on the ball, composed under pressure, and a defensive leader in Palace’s evolving back line.
Our View: Calm heads prevail after early panic
In our view, this update reflects well on both Palace’s medical setup and Tuchel’s communication with the England camp. What initially looked like a major setback may now prove only a temporary scare. Given Guehi’s consistency and his growing leadership role for both Palace and England, keeping him fit could be crucial to both sides’ ambitions heading into the winter schedule.
If managed correctly, he should be back in full training ahead of the Wolves fixture — an outcome that will greatly reassure supporters who feared the worst.
Key Insights
- Tuchel confirms Guehi’s injury involves no structural damage — only pain and swelling.
- The defender will miss Serbia but could return for England’s match vs Albania.
- Palace expect him to recover in time for the Wolves clash on 22 November.
- Guehi remains a vital leader for both club and country.
- The player continues to train lightly with the England squad under close supervision.
What’s Next
England medical staff will reassess Guehi later this week, with a final decision due on Friday regarding his participation against Albania. Palace, meanwhile, are expected to give him additional recovery days upon his return before evaluating him for the trip to Molineux.
👉 Palace fans — should Guehi rest through the international break or push to feature for England before returning?
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