Crystal Palace hope new signing Matheus Franca will be fit to make his debut shortly after the international break.
Palace spent around £17million plus £9m in add-ons to sign the highly rated Brazilian teenager from Flamengo in August.
However, an injury in his lower back has prevented him from making his first appearance for the Eagles yet. Roy Hodgson’s side have seven other players unavailable amid a growing injury crisis, with key attacking players Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise both sidelined.
But club staff believe Franca is recovering ahead of schedule, and he has been training with his team-mates in the main first-team training sessions for over a week now.
The 19-year-old was eased in to full training — only doing personal work with a fitness trainer for his first month at Copers Cope, before progressing to solo work on grass.
The Brazil Under-20s international is a versatile player, able to play anywhere across the front line, as well as in attacking midfield.
Palace’s first match after the international break sees them visit Newcastle United on October 21. Franca is targeting being back to full fitness in time to feature at St James’ Park.
On Thursday, goalkeeper Dean Henderson had a second scan on his thigh muscle injury, with Palace due to discover whether their fears of an extended period out of action have come true.
An initial scan last week suggested the injury to his right thigh was serious.
Henderson suffered the injury on his Palace debut against former club Manchester United last Tuesday. The £20m signing had to be replaced in the 19th minute of Palace’s 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat.
