---
title: "Crystal Palace: Matt Woosnam doubtful of Eberechi Eze start"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/palace-woosman-ebere-eze-return/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Crystal Palace"
published: "2021-11-27T12:40:27Z"
modified: "2021-11-27T12:40:27Z"
---

# Crystal Palace: Matt Woosnam doubtful of Eberechi Eze start

**Eberechi Eze has ‘very little chance’ of starting for Crystal Palace against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, according to [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2979152/2021/11/26/palace-score-villa-aston-crystal-cpfc/)‘s Matt Woosnam.**

### The lowdown

Last time out against Burnley, the 23-year-old featured in Palace’s matchday squad [for the first time this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eberechi-eze/leistungsdaten/spieler/479999). However, he watched the entirety of the 3-3 draw from the sidelines, with Patrick Vieira holding him back for now.

Eze hasn’t featured for Palace’s first team for more than six months now, [having sustained an Achilles injury](https://theathletic.com/news/eberechi-eze-injury-crystal-palace/SW5sCd8HP8xX/) in training in May. He has made [two appearances for the club’s under-23s in recent weeks](https://theathletic.com/news/eberechi-eze-set-for-crystal-palace-return-against-burnley/8Kibuc8iE3qj/) to aid his return his fitness.

### The latest

On Saturday morning, Woosnam was asked by a supporter in [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2979152/2021/11/26/palace-score-villa-aston-crystal-cpfc/)‘s matchday discussion whether there was a ‘good chance’ of Eze being selected in Vieira’s XI.

The journalist replied: “Very little chance of Eze starting just yet. Expect him to get minutes off the bench before that happens.”

### The verdict

With James McArthur [now out injured](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php), there does appear to be an opening in the Palace midfield, but Woosnam has [previously written](https://theathletic.com/2968035/2021/11/22/mcarthurs-prolonged-absence-is-a-test-for-vieira-will-hughes-eze-or-schlupp-come-into-midfield/?source=emp-shared-article) that Jeffrey Schlupp will likely be the preferred option until Eze is completely ready.

It’s hard to argue against a cautious approach given the evident severity of the injury. Patience will seemingly be required, but it’s easy to understand that Eagles fan’s apparent eagerness for the 23-year-old to return today.

He was the team’s most creative player last season, finishing the campaign with six assists and an average of 1.3 key passes per 90 (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/162/Archive/England-Crystal-Palace)). His return can’t come quick enough, but it might not necessarily come today, if Woosnam’s prediction proves correct.

**In other news, [Mark Wyatt reckons this man will be dropped on Saturday](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/crystal-palace-news/crystal-palace-mark-wyatt-reckons-luka-milivojevic-will-be-dropped-v-villa/).**