A subtle discomfort threatens to sideline Crystal Palace’s dynamic winger, Ismaila Sarr, ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash against Brighton. Manager Oliver Glasner revealed a “very, very small tightness” in Sarr’s hamstring, a concern that’s prompted careful management of the player’s minutes.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Sarr recently delivered a dazzling performance, scoring twice in Palace’s 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League. Yet, surprisingly, he was substituted off in the 65th minute, a move now understood to be precautionary.
Glasner is acutely aware of the demands ahead. Beyond the intense rivalry match against Brighton – a derby known locally as the A23 or M23 derby – Sarr is also expected to join Senegal for international duty, conveniently played in London. Balancing club and country commitments requires a delicate approach.
Sarr has quickly become a pivotal figure for Palace this season, directly contributing to four goals in eight Premier League appearances. His impact extends beyond the league, with two goals in a dominant Carabao Cup win against Liverpool and a crucial strike in the Community Shield triumph.
Despite the hamstring concern, Glasner indicated Sarr is likely to feature against Brighton, stating that all players involved against AZ Alkmaar appear available. However, the manager stressed the need to protect the player, carefully monitoring his workload.
Another player’s availability remains uncertain. Midfielder Adam Wharton is still battling a chest issue, leaving his starting position in doubt. Glasner admitted he “doesn’t know” if Wharton will be fully fit, noting the player felt “rusty” during his 30-minute appearance against Alkmaar.
Wharton’s return to peak condition is a priority, with Glasner using the Alkmaar match to build his intensity and heart rate. The manager hopes Wharton will fully recover in the next two days, but acknowledges the decision to start him against Brighton remains open.
Fortunately, other players appear to have emerged from the midweek fixture unscathed. Marc Guéhi sustained a knock at the end of the game, but has reported feeling fine, offering a further boost to Palace’s squad depth.
