Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson confirmed Michael Olise has suffered a ‘serious’ hamstring injury that will be ‘devastating’ for all involved.Hodgson has been criticised by fans after Olise was sent on at half-time in the 4-1 defeat by Brighton on Saturday, only to limp off after spending around ten minutes on the pitch.”That’s not fair to expect that of him…that’s not fair”Roy Hodgson on Michael Olise’s injury 🤕 pic.twitter.com/GSUtr1ghnS— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2024 Palace were 3-0 down when winger Olise, 22, was introduced and he had also been forced off during their previous game.”So many things went wrong that could have gone right,” said Hodgson.”But we don’t have hindsight and that’s the problem.””They [the medical team] told me and he told me that he was fine to be on the bench and to play in the second half. Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball,” Hodgson said.##NAJAVA_MECA_7863325##Speaking again on Thursday, looking ahead to Monday’s match against Chelsea, Hodgson rejected supporters’ claims that Olise already had a physical issue but confirmed he has now suffered a hamstring blow.”It’s devastating for him, for the club, for everybody really. I don’t think he was carrying an injury, I think it was more fatigue. It’s not easy when you’ve got a player like Olise on the bench to turn around and say ‘just sit there’.”Olise only needed a year at Palace to become the craze of top clubsInjuries have restricted Olise to 11 appearances so far this season but he has scored six goals and provided three assists.”Michael is a quiet guy and that’s another part of this situation,” Hodgson said.”Another player might have come up and said, ‘Look, I don’t think it’s worth it. I need a bit more time.'”But that’s not fair on him, he’s just going along with what the club thinks.”The South London club also lost winger Eberechi Eze to a muscle injury during the win against Sheffield United.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 24Saturday 15.30: (1.22) Man.City (6.50) Everton (12.0)18.00: (1.80) Luton (3.70) Sheffield Utd (5.00)18.00: (1.17) Liverpool (8.00) Burnley (14.0)18.00: (1.85) Tottenham (4.20) Brighton (3.90)20.30: (3.60) Nott.Forest (3.60) Newcastle (2.15)Sunday 19.30: (2.20) Aston Villa (3.60) Man.Utd. (3.40)Monday 23.00: (4.40) Crystal Palace (3.50) Chelsea (1.85)***odds are subject to change
