Crystal Palace receive updates on Daniel Munoz, Sam Johnstone injuries

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 27 March 2024

Palace receive updates on Munoz, Johnstone injuries

Crystal Palace receive updates on the fitness of Daniel Munoz and Sam Johnstone, with both picking up injuries during the international break.

Crystal Palace have received updates on the injury situations regarding Daniel Munoz and Sam Johnstone.

Munoz was taken off shortly before half time in Colombia's 3-2 win over Romania in Madrid on Tuesday night, with fears raised that he may have picked up an injury that could see him sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Palace's recent recruit from Genk had scored the only goal when Colombia beat Spain at the London Stadium a few days earlier, and started again in Madrid.

However, those worries were soon calmed, as Radio Marca claimed that Munoz was replaced only as a precaution and the issue was not a serious one.

The 27-year-old has played an important role in Palace's improved fortunes under Oliver Glasner, allowing the new manager to change his shape since arriving at Selhurst Park.

The Austrian manager has implemented a three-at-the-back system, and Munoz has fitted in nicely as a right wing-back in the Palace side, and provided the assist to Jean-Philippe Mateta's goal against Luton Town.

News on goalkeeper Johnstone is not as positive though, with his injury believed to be much more serious.

Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone on November 4, 2023 © Reuters

Johnstone did not get any game time with the England squad, and was sent home with an elbow injury after their defeat to Brazil at Wembley.

Initial reports stated that Johnstone was set to miss the rest of the season, jeopardising his chances of being England's Euro 2024 squad.

Those fears have been confirmed, as the Daily Mail claim that Johnstone has undergone surgery to rectify the injury, with recovery time expected to take almost four months.

That rules the Palace stopper out for the rest of the season and out of Euro 2024, with a return not likely until late July when the Eagles will be returning for pre-season.

It is thought Johnstone was expected to start against Belgium in England's second friendly of the recent international window, but Jordan Pickford featured instead in his absence.

For Palace, that will likely see Dean Henderson take over between the sticks for the final 10 games of their season, where they currently sit eight points above the relegation zone.