Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitted Trevoh Chalobah could be recalled by parent club Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Chalobah made the move to Selhurst Park in August, joining Palace on a season-long loan in search of regular playing time amid another review of the Blues' signings.
The 25-year-old has impressed for the Eagles this season, making 12 Premier League appearances after missing the start of the season due to an abdominal muscle strain.
Chelsea have already recalled Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell at Boca Juniors, and Glasner said he could lose Chalobah for the second half of the season.
“It's a tough situation,” Glasner said. “I always want to be fair. Chelsea have the option to recall him from a loan contract.
“There's a bit of uncertainty at the moment: will they do it, when will they do it? We need clarity, he needs clarity.”
“Let's see [whether he plays]. Maybe Trevoh is involved, or not. He wants to stay here, but it is a decision Chelsea can make. We are passengers; we are not the pilot flying the plane.
“My wish and Trevoh Chalobah's wish is that he stays with us. Chelsea loaned him to us to give him minutes and improve his game. This is what he did.”
“But I don't think he's ready yet. It's a one-year lease. But we'll see.”
At Leicester City, Ruud van Nistelrooy shared his transfer plans this month, with the Foxes looking to expand their ranks to ensure their survival this season.
Leicester are in 19th place in the Premier League after six top-flight games without a win. Their latest win came in Van Nistelrooy's first game in charge against West Ham.
The Foxes have been linked with a move for Parma defender Woyo Coulibaly. Van Nistelrooy said the conversations he had before taking on the role were focused on welcoming newcomers in January, but they should be mutually beneficial.
“We can't confirm any news about a new player yet, so let's see how things develop,” Van Nistelrooy said of his connection with Coulibaly's signing.
“The most important thing is that the conversations we had in December before I signed were in line with that. It is clear what is possible and what is not.
“We are on the same page and are trying to strengthen ourselves, but it has to be right. As I said before, it is a responsibility to get the right players within the possibilities. That is the most important thing.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Leicester – Jamie Vardy
Vardy ended his four-match drought with a penalty in Leicester's 6-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup, and he will be hoping to carry that momentum into Wednesday's match.
The experienced striker has scored seven times in 18 top-flight games against Palace and has only scored more against five other teams (Liverpool, Manchester City, Watford, Tottenham and Arsenal) in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze
Eze has been in good form for Palace in recent weeks, recording three goals (two goals, one assist) in his last three games in all competitions.
After his assist against Chelsea, Eze moved level with Christian Benteke in 46 Premier League goals for the Eagles (28 goals, 18 assists), with only Wilfried Zaha (96) involved in more for Palace.
MATCH PREDICTION: CRYSTAL PALACE WIN
Palace are unbeaten in their last five away games in the competition (W2 D3). In their history, the Eagles have only ever played six consecutive top-level away games without losing in October 1990 and February 1992.
Only Everton (53%) have scored a higher percentage of their Premier League goals from set plays (excl. penalties) this season than Glasner's side (38%), with four of the Eagles' last eight league goals coming from corners.
But after winning four consecutive Premier League games against Leicester between 2017 and 2019, Palace won just one of their last nine games against the Foxes (D4 L4).
Leicester, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last four Premier League home games against Palace (W3 D1), with the most recent meeting ending 0-0 in October 2022.
However, they have lost each of their last five Premier League games – the longest losing streak in this season's competition – while conceding two or more goals each time. Since April 2001, the Foxes have not lost six or more consecutive league games, while losing more than once in each defeat (run of seven).
Leicester have also kept the fewest clean sheets of any side in the Premier League this season (one). The Foxes have recorded just two shutouts in their last 43 games in the competition – the joint fewest in a 43-game winning streak of any side in the history of the competition, along with West Brom from December 2002 to January 2005 and Burnley of April 2022. to May 2024.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Leicester – 27.9%
Draw – 25.2%
Crystal Palace – 46.9%
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