Ben Watson is expected to miss at least the next three league games for Palace after discovering he needs hernia surgery.
The 21-year-old will travel to Germany next week to have an operation on the problem and is unlikely to be fit for selection before the home game against Coventry on 23rd September.
Palace boss Peter Taylor said: "I've been told the specialist in Germany is excellent and we tried to get it done this week, but he isn't available so it will have to be next week.
"That means he might miss a couple of matches - Luton, Southampton and maybe one more."