Iain Dowie is expected to ring the changes for tonight’s home tie against Walsall, with several players looking to make a comeback from injury.
Michael Hughes is available once more after recovering from a hamstring injury picked up at the start of the season. Jon Macken and Aki Riihilahti should also feature in the starting eleven after shaking off hamstring and calf injuries respectively.
The rest of the starting line-up is anyone’s guess – though if Dowie’s Carling Cup policy from last season is anything to go by a fair few reserves will get their chance to stake a claim for first-team football.
Walsall boss Paul Merson has no injury problems ahead of the match, and is expected to name a settled side as his team look to continue an impressive start to the season that has seen the Saddlers unbeaten in four.
Probable Palace XI (maybe!)
Speroni
Butterfield Popovic Hudson Fray
Black Hughes Riihilahti Kolkka
Macken Freedman