Oliver Glasner provides Matheus Franca return update after starting for Crystal Palace’s U21 side..
Oliver Glasner confirmed that Matheus Franca will not be in the Crystal Palace squad against Fulham on Saturday despite making a playing return for the U21s on Monday evening.
The Brazilian played 60 minutes for Darren Powell’s side as they won 3-0 against Aston Villa at Sutton’s Gander Green Lane.
Franca last featured in the league for the Eagles in March 2024 and has suffered an injury-hit spell since joining at the start of the 2023-24 season.
“I didn’t watch it. But, of course, I got all the information,” said Glasner.
“He trained with us, but he won’t be in the squad tomorrow. He also won’t play for the Under-21s because we have games on Tuesday and Saturday.
“We have 19 available on-field players, and no one will come back. Joel Ward will need two or three weeks to be back with the team.
“I spoke to him after training today. We want to help him and support him in the best way to bring him back to his best shape.
“This will take time after nine months out of team training. It’s about staying patient. When you are out for nine months, it is important that you are in [training] consistently.”
Palace take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Tuesday night, then host Millwall in the last 16 of the FA Cup.
“We don’t know what will happen this week,” said Glasner of possible minutes for Franca.
“Every training session helps him improve and get more rhythm after his long injury.
“Next week there is not a lot of training because we have three games. He is a full member of the squad again.
“The better he performs in training and the more it looks like he can help the team by scoring goals and winning games then the better his chances are to get minutes.”
