Crystal Palace host Leeds United at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Sunday, and although the fixture may come too soon for some of the Eagles’ injured players, Patrick Vieira has given a promising injury update on one individual.

What’s the latest?

The Palace manager took to his pre-match press conference to give a more detailed insight into Nathaniel Clyne’s injury, confirming that no lasting damage has been done after the defender suffered “deep lacerations” to his ankle while challenging for a header with Thiago Silva against Chelsea.

Vieira told the media: “Nathaniel went to the hospital and is back at home now. He came in for training once every two days to do some work with the physios but it’ll be a couple of weeks until he’s back on the field.”

Vieira will be relieved

There is no doubt that Vieira would have been extremely concerned when Clyne was stretchered off against Chelsea last weekend, so he will be relieved that the 31-year-old has not sustained something much more serious and could be back in just a few weeks.

Palace are not in a good position right now in the Premier League after a poor run of performances, currently 17th in the table and teetering on the edge of the relegation zone. Therefore, having as many key players as possible fit over the coming weeks and months will be essential to the Eagles’ hopes of climbing out of trouble.

Clyne is one of the few experienced players left at Palace as Vieira’s arrival sparked a youth revolution at Selhurst Park last year, and despite the positive impact that the young players have made, the manager knows the importance of having senior operators in key areas of the pitch.

The former Liverpool full-back signed a one-year extension this summer to remain in south London until next June, and his consistent selection is a testament to Vieira’s trust in the player.

The Frenchman lavished praise on Clyne last season after featuring more consistently in the team in the latter stages of the Premier League campaign, saying: “He has been a real professional, he has been working hard, and he is always looking to do extra when he wasn’t playing.”

With that in mind, it will be a big boost to have the 31-year-old back in the squad, as Vieira needs as much depth as he can get whilst he tries to inspire a good run of form and inject some confidence back into the team over the season ahead.