Crystal Palace captain Scott Dann is facing three weeks out after suffering a hamstring injury in the EFL Cup defeat against Southampton on Wednesday.
A scan yesterday revealed a strain and Alan Pardew today confirmed the defender is likely to be sidelined until after the upcoming international break.
Dann will miss tomorrow’s game against Sunderland and next Friday’s trip to Everton, but Palace hope the 29-year-old will return against West Ham on October 15.
The injury is a defensive setback for Palace but James Tomkins has recovered from his knee injury and is fit to face Sunderland. He will partner Damien Delaney, the only other recognised centre-half in the Palace squad, at the Stadium of Light.
Tomkins has played just 53 minutes in the Premier League since his £10million summer move from West Ham but Pardew is confident the 27-year-old can help Palace cope without Dann.
“Scott is our captain so it is frustrating to lose him,” said Pardew. “But I paid a lot of money for James Tomkins because I wanted to make sure that position was covered.
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“I felt we were a bit vulnerable last season. I do not feel vulnerable for tomorrow. I think James Tomkins has put in a performance that can match Scott Dann’s. That is why we invested heavily in him. So that [his return from injury] has worked out okay for us.”
