Crystal Palace talisman Adam Wharton faces a battle to be fit for the FA Cup final after being ruled out of this weekend’s game against Tottenham.
Oliver Glasner confirmed the England midfielder has been in ‘too much pain’ to train this week after Wharton limped out of Palace’s draw with Nottingham Forest after injuring ligaments in his ankle.
Wharton looked in good spirits at Palace’s training ground on Friday and Glasner said he is hopeful his star midfielder will be back in time to face Manchester City at Wembley next weekend.
‘Unfortunately, he’s not available because he didn’t train the whole week so if everything goes right we hope that Monday after the Tottenham game he can be reintegrated, at least partly, into training,’ said Palace boss Glasner.
‘Then on Wednesday when we start preparing for the final I hope that he is in training with us.
‘For me, it is 90 per cent that he can play [the final] but always things can happen but Sunday at Tottenham is too early.
Wharton limped off during Palace’s draw with Nottingham Forest with an ankle injury
Wharton was part of the Palace side that beat Aston Villa at Wembley to reach the FA Cup final
‘He is in too much pain. It is not about taking risks, his ligament is a bit damaged and when he has to run or if he has turn his foot then the pain is just too much.’
Wharton has been one of Palace’s most important players this season en route to the FA Cup final and has already been linked with interest from clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City.
‘He didn’t come and tell me that he wants to leave,’ added Glasner. ‘Now, is not the time to talk about individual futures, now it is about being focused on our upcoming games.
‘He is working hard that he can train with us next week. He has to train otherwise he can’t play the final. He knows that.
‘As soon as I could feel that a player’s mind is elsewhere, he has no chance to play anymore.’
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou would do well to pick the brains of Glasner after their game at the weekend on how to win a Europa League.
Postecoglou led Spurs to the final with their victory over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, a competition Glasner won with Frankfurt three years ago.
Ange Postecoglou celebrates taking Tottenham Hotspur to the Europa League final
Glasner was full of praise for the Spurs boss’s achievement, especially when faced with such an injury crisis throughout the season.
‘I have huge respect for every manager and every player. Tottenham had many injuries and many games to play. They had many sh*tstorms to overcome.
‘I have a huge appreciation for Ange and how he dealt with the situation. It’s not always easy to stay calm. We know what happens day by day with your players and when you are missing seven, eight, nine starters.’
