Roy Hodgson has this week been handed a crucial injury boost with Mamadou Sakho returning to first team training at Crystal Palace following a knee injury sustained last season.
The Frenchman's injured required surgery and, though he made a return to action during pre-season when featuring against AFC Wimbledon, a setback meant that Sakho had been working alone once more at Palace's training ground.
Hodgson is hesitant to rush back a defender so crucial to his back line and, following the summer signing of Gary Cahill and his performance at Old Trafford last weekend, has the numbers to ensure no risks are taken over Sakho, meaning an appearance against Aston Villa tomorrow is perhaps unlikely.
James Tomkins continues to train alone but is closing in on his own return, ready to give Hodgson quite the headache over a central defensive pairing.
Following his showing against Manchester United, and the disappointing performance of Christian Benteke against Colchester on Tuesday, Jordan Ayew is set for another chance to establish himself as the first choice striker as the Eagles look for a first home goal of the campaign have drawn 0-0 against Everton in the season opener at Selhurst Park while Andros Townsend is likely to return to the starting XI.
