Crystal Palace blow as new signing Matheus Franca ruled out by injury | OneFootball

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ew Crystal Palace signing Matheus Franca will miss the start of the season after picking up an injury.

The versatile 19-year-old forward signed a five-year contract at the weekend, leaving Flamengo in his native Brazil in a deal worth £17million plus £9m in add-ons.

However, Roy Hodgson has revealed that Franca will not be fit for Palace’s Premier League opener at Sheffield United on Saturday.

“The young lad from Brazil, who we have very high hopes for, is not going to be available because he’s got an injury that he’s looking after,” he said.

Jefferson Lerma is Palace’s other signing so far, but the departures of Wilfried Zaha, Luka Milivojevic, Jack Butland and retirement of James McArthur has left them thin on the ground.

“We are short in terms of the squad size and are aware of what needs to be done,” added Hodgson. “I’m optimistic that by the end of the transfer window this squad will be stronger.”