England Defender Faces Race Against Time for Crucial Qualifiers
Crystal Palace and England have been dealt a significant blow as defender Marc Guehi is now a serious doubt for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The centre-back sustained an injury that has left him on crutches and casts a shadow over his immediate international future.
Details of the Injury Emerge
The incident occurred in the final moments of Crystal Palace's Europa Conference League match against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday. Guehi, who is a reported transfer target for Liverpool, was fouled and suffered a direct knock to his foot. Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided a concerning update, revealing the 25-year-old captain has been diagnosed with a bone bruise.
"Marc was fouled in the last minute against Alkmaar," Glasner told Sky Sports. "It was a knock on his foot, a bone bruise. He can't even walk at the moment. For the last two days he is on crutches." The manager added a pessimistic note regarding Guehi's availability for the national team, stating, "I don't know how this develops over the next couple of days it doesn't look good. It looks like he can't play for England as well."
Consequences for Palace and England
Guehi's absence was immediately felt by his club, as he was not involved in Palace's Premier League fixture against Brighton on Sunday. His place was taken by 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot, a France U21 international signed from Toulouse in a summer deal worth up to £23 million, who made his first Premier League start.
For England, the timing is far from ideal. Guehi, who earned his 26th cap against Wales in October, has been a consistent performer for Crystal Palace this season, starting 18 games in all competitions. His potential unavailability for the qualifiers against Serbia and Albania over the next two weeks presents a challenge for Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate, who must now consider alternative defensive options.
