Starting lineup, confirmed team news and latest injuries for today’s game

Crystal Palace begin their campaign today without Michael Olise, resulting in Andre Ayew joining the attack to face Sheffield United today.

The Eagles start their Premier League season on Saturday with a trip to face newly-promoted United, but will do so without Olise, who is nowhere near a return.

The winger has been the subject of interest from a number of clubs this summer, including London rivals Chelsea, but has been sidelined since June after suffering a serious thigh injury at the European Under-21 Championships.

“Michael Olise is still out for a considerable period of time following the very serious injury he picked up with the France Under-21s at the end of the season,” Roy Hodgson confirmed in his press conference on Friday.

Will Hughes and new signing Matheus Franca will also be missing when Palace kick off the new campaign at Bramall Lane.

Hodgson said: “Will Hughes got a really bad tackle when we played Millionarios in Chicago. This is an injury that will take longer than we have been able to give it so far.

“Matheus Franca came to the club and they detected a slight stress problem there, so the medical department does not want to push him to training. For the next few weeks, until he has his second scan, we’ll have to do without him.”

The Frenchman is one of two signings Palace have made this summer. Jefferson Lerma, the defensive midfielder who joined when his Bournemouth contract expired, is set to start against Sheffield United.

“The fans will love him,” Hodgson said. “It’s a good signing – we were lucky to get him.”

Crystal Palace XI: Johnstone; Ward, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell; Lerma, Doucoure, Schlupp; Ayew, Edouard, Eze

Substitutions: Matthews, Tomkins, Clyne, Richards, Riedewald, Ahamada, Rak-Sakyi, Gordon, Mateta

Injuries: Olise, Hughes, Franca

Doubts: No one

Date and time: 15:00, Saturday 12 August 2023

Venue: Bramall Lane