David Martin is fully expected to be fit and available for the Boxing Day clash at Selhurst Park on Boxing Day if required.
ClaretandHugh learned this afternoon the 33 year old suffered a “small niggle” towards the end of the victory over Southampton raising fears that he could have suffered a serious problem and that a horrific call for Roberto could be on the cards.
But we were told this afternoon that a scan had shown no problems and that he was no fully expected to be available although there remain hopes that Lukasz Fabianski could return for the Palace match.
The first choice stopper has been recovering and it looks possible that he could hit the target he has had in mind for several weeks.
However, Manu Lanzini won’t male it for the game but looks more than likely to be in the squad for the game against Leicester City at the London Stadium on Boxing Day.
There was no way Martin was seriously injured. He has played hundreds of games in the lower leagues, he took a booking for a long goal kick and faked an injury at a perfect time. Unlike our premier league dunces he has learnt the game management necessary to win when you’re down in the doldrums and backs are up against the wall. He saw us through the end of that Southampton match as they were coming on strong and Pellegrins substitutes had made us weaker and far far too defensive. Martin is a smart cookie. The rest of our players need to get smarter.