Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has admitted he is facing a "difficult selection process" ahead of next weekend's FA Cup final.
The south Londoners' ended their Premier League campaign with a chastening 4-1 defeat at Southampton this afternoon but thoughts will now turn to the club's upcoming trip to face Manchester United at Wembley.
Pardew is sweating on the fitness of several players ahead of the showpiece event, including striker Connor Wickham, who missed today's trip to the South Coast with a knee injury.
Dwight Gayle and Emmanuel Adebayor were both handed starts in Wickham's absence and either forward could be deemed worthy of a similar role at Wembley.
"It's going to be a difficult selection process for me [for the Cup final].
"Ade did well today. He may be in line for a start next week, depending on Connor's injury," Pardew insisted.
"Dwight did work his socks off and had three good chances, which usually he would score. He's got a chance of being involved next week."
Pardew opted to rest some of his key players against Southampton but joked that players' injuries tend to clear up when such an important game around the corner.
"We rested Scott Dann today. Wickham and [Yohan] Cabaye were rested with knocks, we're worrying with them. [Wilfried] Zaha was rested too.
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"We're waiting on them, but you find that injuries seem to clear up on FA Cup final week!" he added.
Old Trafford was evacuated after a suspect package was found and the Red Devils are likely to have to play the Cherries at some stage this week before their trip to Wembley.
