Crystal Palace will have to contend with several significant absences when they face Liverpool in Sunday’s Community Shield at Wembley. Manager Oliver Glasner revealed in his pre-match press conference that Eddie Nketiah, Caleb Kporha, and Matheus Franca will all be unavailable.
Palace are expected to field the same starting XI that won last season’s FA Cup final — the club’s first major trophy — and featured in their final pre-season friendly against Augsburg. But the absence of Nketiah in particular is a blow, with the forward set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
“It Could Be Three Months Out”
Glasner explained the nature of each injury, confirming Nketiah has suffered a hamstring issue on top of a disrupted pre-season.
“Eddie Nketiah has missed the majority of pre-season,” Glasner said. “He had a small injury two days into pre-season and now he has a more serious one. He’ll be out for eight weeks with a hamstring injury. Without a pre-season, it’ll take him three or four more weeks to be ready – so it could be three months out.”
Kporha, meanwhile, is struggling with a back problem that has kept him out for the entirety of pre-season, and there is no current return date. Franca’s setback is an adductor injury, separate from the groin issues that plagued his first two seasons at the club, with the Brazilian tentatively expected back in training in around ten days.
Injury Summary — August 8, 2025
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Nketiah | Hamstring | ~3 months |
| Caleb Kporha | Back | Unknown |
| Matheus Franca | Adductor | 10 days (est.) |
Analyst Verdict
Nketiah’s absence removes a key attacking option for Palace at the start of the season, particularly given his ability to stretch defences and link play in Glasner’s system. Kporha’s back injury deprives the squad of defensive depth, while Franca’s continued fitness struggles remain a frustration after his injury-hit start to life in South London. The challenge for Glasner will be managing Palace’s attacking workload across the early fixtures while maintaining momentum from last season’s FA Cup triumph.
Key Insights
- Nketiah’s hamstring injury could keep him out for up to three months.
- Kporha has been absent all pre-season with a back problem, no return date yet.
- Franca’s adductor injury is unrelated to his past groin issues, possible return in 10 days.
- Palace expected to stick with FA Cup-winning XI against Liverpool.
- Injury setbacks come ahead of opening competitive match of 2025/26.
What’s Next
Palace face Liverpool — now under Arne Slot — at Wembley in Sunday’s Community Shield, the traditional season curtain-raiser. With injuries limiting options, Glasner will rely on the core group that delivered the club’s first-ever major trophy last season. The focus will then shift to ensuring Nketiah’s recovery is managed carefully and that Franca’s reintegration is smooth after yet another lay-off.
Can Palace overcome these injuries to make a statement against Liverpool in the Community Shield?
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