Crystal Palace handed Eberechi Eze starting boost for crucial Ipswich clash

Eberechi Eze should be fit to start Crystal Palace's vital Premier League meeting with Ipswich, boss Oliver Glasner has confirmed.

The attacker played 65 minutes of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle, his first start since sustaining a hamstring injury in their Carabao Cup last-16 victory over Aston Villa in October.

Palace sit just one place clear of the relegation zone, level on nine points with 18th-placed Wolves and Tuesday night's hosts ahead of what could prove a critical contest for survival.

Glasner said: "I think [Eze] is OK to start again. I think we could see that he didn't have a lot of training the weeks before, but on the other side he is important. He can create situations, he can always score a goal.

"I don't think it's a six-pointer, but it's an important game. But every single game is important. We will play against a team who has the same amount of points like we have. We want to take the three points.

"I think this is how they will enter the game, and we will do the same."

Palace have no fresh injury concerns, but the trip comes too soon for England midfielder Adam Wharton, who is still recovering after undergoing surgery for a groin issue early last month.

Glasner said "everything goes like we planned it" for the 20-year-old, who will have his first training session with the team after the Ipswich encounter.

He revealed Wharton will not be available for Manchester City's visit to Selhurst Park on Saturday, but "might" be available to face Brighton the following weekend.

That Premier League match comes just three days before Palace travel to Arsenal for their Carabao Cup quarter-final on December 18.

The Eagles then host the Gunners in the Premier League at Selhurst Park on December 21, and travel to Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

The Austrian admitted Palace "are not pleased with the points we have" but feels his men are improving "step-by-step" ahead of a congested few weeks of fixtures.

He added: "We are prepared. We are looking forward to it. It's very positive that injured players are coming back.

"We play the two, three and four of the table, so a challenging month, but I mentioned when I arrived here, if I would like to have it relaxing I would be in Austria going skiing. But I want this challenge with my team."