Crystal Palace rocked by major Chadi Riad injury blow to alter transfer plans | OneFootball

Eagles likely to strengthen defence with serious setback for summer signing following Trevoh Chalobah’s early exit

Crystal Palace may be forced to change their transfer strategy for the final week of the January window after Chadi Riad suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

With Riad out and Trevoh Chalobah having been recalled early by Chelsea from his loan spell, Palace are left with just Chris Richards, Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix in the centre-back position. It may prompt the club to look for a solution before the window closes next Monday.

Riad joined Palace in the summer in a deal worth £14million, having spent last season on loan at Real Betis from Barcelona.

He suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in August and has made one solitary appearance in the Premier League for the Eagles since joining.

Palace were already targeting a left wing-back in the final week of the January window, having signed attacker Romain Esse from Millwall for £12m plus £2.5m in add-ons. Esse scored on his debut with his very first touch in Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by Brentford.

Palace are likely to now sign a centre-back, too, in order to help them through the second half of the campaign following Riad's serious injury.

In more positive news, midfielder Adam Wharton is set to return to full training this week. He had been doing individual running work on the grass as he works his way back up to full fitness following groin surgery.