Benteke on comeback trail but not yet ready to lead Palace attack
Posted Friday, January 04, 2019 by PA
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke has returned to training but is not yet ready to start their FA Cup fixture with Grimsby.
The 28-year-old has been absent since September 1 with a knee injury but is nearing a first-team return.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson intends on making changes to his team following a busy run of fixtures throughout December, which could mean starts for fringe players like Scott Dann and Connor Wickham.
Benteke is Hodgson’s only injury concern.
Grimsby will once again be without defender Alex Whitmore as his suspension continues.
Centre-back Whitmore is in his second match of a three-game ban, while fellow defender Andrew Fox is being monitored after he felt ill during the 1-0 loss to Mansfield on New Year’s Day and came off at half-time.
The tie comes too soon for injured trio Harry Davis, Danny Collins and Akin Famewo but new Swedish left-back Sebastian Ring can play after gaining international clearance.
Elliot Embleton is available having extended his loan with the club from Sunderland to the end of the season.
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