Crystal Palace 'keeper Julian Speroni set to miss start of season
Bad news for Crystal Palace as shot-stopper Julian Speroni will be out for 3-4 weeks with a finger injury.
Eagles manager Alan Pardew seems resigned that he'll be starting the Premier League campaign with Welsh international Wayne Hennessey between the posts.
"Speroni has hurt his finger quite badly and we don't think he's going to be available for three or four weeks," Pardew told reporters.
Four-time Eagles player of the year, Speroni, who joined Palace in 2004, has been a vital contributor to a squad that followed promotion to the Premier League in 2013-14 with consecutive mid-table finishes of 11th and 10th.
Optimism in south London is at an all-time high as gaffer Pardew has brought in Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain, Connor Wickham from Sunderland and Patrick Bamford on loan from Chelsea, signalling an intent to become a consistent top-half presence in the league.
Pardew's third summer signing, 'keeper Alex McCarthy who joined on a move from QPR, should be able to provide cover for current depth issues in net.