Roy Hodgson hoping on Ruben Loftus-Cheek return for Crystal Palace

Thursday 1 March 2018 22:50, UK

Roy Hodgson is hopeful Ruben Loftus-Cheek will return for Crystal Palace within the next week, following an ankle injury lay-off.

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the key players for Palace since arriving on loan from Chelsea, but has been unavailable since December 28.

Chelsea insisted upon the player's return for a period of recovery, though Hodgson is now hopeful the England international is on the brink of a comeback, following Monday's visit of Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports Premier League.

"The plan was, his first [practice match and full training] session was Monday, he was going to do another session on Tuesday and Wednesday was going to be a day off.

"He was due to sign off with Chelsea on either Thursday or Friday and come back to us at the weekend. That was the plan but that was before this other minor injury which occurred which they now have to look at. But we are still hopeful he will be back with us soon.

"Unfortunately in a training session where his ankle was being tested out with the U23s - and the session went very well - he has managed in some way to pick up another very minor injury which now of course has to be treated before we get him back here.

"The good news was that the injury which has kept him out for a long period of time, the ankle, seems to be much better and he seems to be on the mend from that.