Crystal Palace winger Bakary Sako is out for the rest of the season after fracturing his ankle, manager Roy Hodgson said on Friday.
Sako limped off in the first half of Palace’s 1-1 Premier League draw at West Ham United on Tuesday.
Hodgson said the 29-year-old, who has scored six goals in all competitions this season, suffered damage to his ankle ligaments and remains a doubt to be fit for the start of the 2018-19 campaign.
‘Baky’s injury is a very serious one. He’s fractured his ankle and damaged ligaments around it,’ the former England manager told reporters.
‘He certainly won’t play again this season and may be a doubt to be fit for the start of next.’
Hodgson described the type of injuries to hit his squad this season as ‘unusual’ as he has just 19 players to choose from for Sunday’s league fixture against Newcastle United.
‘Our injury situation is unusual. A lot of clubs can get a number of muscle injuries, but we’re in a situation where we’ve lost five for the season,’ he said.
‘(Christian) Benteke, (Wilfried) Zaha, and (Mamadou) Sakho all spent at least 6 weeks out earlier in the season.’
Hodgson added that Norwegian new signing Alexander Sorloth will replace Sako in the squad at Selhurst Park this weekend.
A heavy challenge from Pablo Zabaleta late in the first half of the 1-1 draw at London Stadium left Sako requiring treatment.
Hodgson was able to bring one attacking replacement in before the deadline in Alexander Sorloth, and the former England manager was delighted to acquire his top target.
“He was our first-choice striker target and will likely be in the squad on Sunday,” added the 70-year-old.
“We watched Sorloth a lot. We knew what we were signing.
“He’ll need a little bit of time to adjust, he’s not played competitively since November, but we have a two week break coming up where he can get his feet under the table.”