Palace travel to Gresty Road tomorrow hoping to welcome back two first-teamers from injury.
Jobi McAnuff and Danny Butterfield both missed Tuesday’s heroic Carling Cup victory over Liverpool after picking up minor knocks last week.
However, both are expected to be back in contention for a starting spot for tomorrow’s game at relegation-threatened Crewe.
Andrew Johnson is still recovering from his knee injury, and Mikele Leigertwood, Tony Popovic and Aki Riihilahti are other long-term absentees.
Julian Speroni played a blinder against the Reds on Tuesday, but the good form of first-choice keeper Gabor Kiraly will see the Hungarian return between the sticks.
Crewe are in the middle of something of an injury crisis – with many of their first-choice defenders missing for tomorrow’s game.
Chris McCready, Billy Jones and Rich Walker are all doubts, while and Adie Moses, Darren Moss and goalkeeper Ross Turnbull will definitely miss out.
Probable Palace XI
Kiraly
Butterfield Ward Hall Boyce
McAnuff Watson Soares Reich
Morrison Freedman