Matt Woosnam: Palace suffer late injury blow pre-Newcastle; 'outstanding' star hasn't travelled

Crystal Palace will be without club captain Luka Milivojevic against Newcastle United this evening, Matt Woosnam reports.

Milivojevic has struggled for regular game time under Patrick Vieira this season, starting just eight Premier League games.

The central midfielder, who Roy Hodgson labelled as ‘outstanding’, has been an unused substitute in 12 top-flight fixtures and has been limited to just 18 appearances in all competitions.

The 31-year-old, who will be entering the final 12 months of his Selhurst Park contract in the summer, did feature at Wembley on Sunday as a substitute, but he won’t be turning out this evening.

Woosnam took to Twitter on Tuesday to relay an update from Vieira regarding Milivojevic.

He shared details of a hamstring issue for the central midfielder, who will not travel with the squad as a result.

Milivojevic hasn’t been a regular this season, so Vieira shouldn’t be too worried about his absence this evening.

James McArthur and Cheikhou Kouyate got the nod from the off against Chelsea on Sunday, so that could once again be an option at St. James’ Park.

Jeffrey Schlupp has also featured as a central midfielder on a regular basis this season, so if Vieira wants to change things up, he could move into a central role which could allow Michael Olise to make a first start since his injury out wide.

In other news: Source: Freedman now stepping up Palace move for ‘phenomenal’ left-footed star as news emerges. 

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