Palace monitoring Michael Olise injury with forward set to miss Leicester trip

Crystal Palace are set to take the cautious approach with Michael Olise’s injury after boss Patrick Vieira admitted he is unlikely to return for the weekend trip to Leicester.

The attacker sat out Monday’s excellent 3-0 win over Arsenal having left international duty with France’s Under-21s early due to “inflammation in one foot.”

Olise now faces a race against time to be fit for Palace’s FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea at Wembley on April 17.

“We have to look at how things go day after day but it doesn’t look good for the next game,” Vieira said.

Quizzed specifically on the 20-year-old’s chances of recovering in time for Wembley, the Eagles boss kept his cards close to his chest.

Vieira added: “We have to see. We have to live the week and see how he will improve.”

Olise has been one of Palace’s most consistent performers since the turn of the year, especially in the FA Cup, but they did not miss him against Arsenal.

We have to look at how things go day after day but it doesn’t look good for the next game.- Patrick Vieira on Michael Olise

In fact replacement Jordan Ayew grabbed the decisive second goal, which was only the second time he has found the net this season.

Either side of Ayew’s sublime finish from Joachim Andersen’s equally terrific crossfield pass was Jean-Philippe Mateta’s headed opener and a deserved goal from the spot for Wilfried Zaha after his impressive run from the halfway line forced the penalty.

“It was a really good game, we played well and managed to win,” ex-Arsenal captain Vieira said.

“We know as well what is difficult is to be consistent in the performance. This is where we need to grow as a team, to repeat these kind of performances and this is the most difficult thing to do in football.”

Cheik