Crystal Palace duo Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon will miss the rest of the season with “very serious” cruciate knee-ligament injuries sustained in separate tackles on Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne, says boss Roy Hodgson.
Eagles captain Dann was carried off on a stretcher during Sunday’s 0-0 draw.
Puncheon was injured in a late tackle on De Bruyne in the final minute.
“We won’t see them again this season and they may not be ready for the start of next season,” said Hodgson.
“They’ll both see a specialist and likely undergo surgery once the swelling goes. They are very serious injuries.”
Both Dann and Puncheon were booked for their tackles on De Bruyne.
Dann, 30, fouled the Belgium international on the edge of his area, while 31-year-old Puncheon’s came as he tried to stop a City counter-attack after Ederson saved Luka Milivojevic’s injury-time penalty.
De Bruyne recovered to start Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday.
Palace, meanwhile, came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1 on Tuesday.
Hodgson said before kick-off he was “afraid” injuries and the busy festive period had stretched his squad “to the absolute limit”.
Speaking after the game he told BBC Sport: “The chairman and directors are keen to improve our squad to ensure we have what we need.
“Hopefully our performances have shown that if we get that backing it’ll make us even stronger in this run-in.”
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Source: BBC