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Crystal Palace facing defensive headache after Joachim Andersen injury

Having been signed this summer, Crystal Palace fans have quickly grown to love Joachim Andersen. The Dane arrived via Olympique Lyonnais having spent time on loan at Fulham the year before. Some strong performances for the Cottagers convinced the Eagles to bring in the Dane, who had also shone during the Euro 2020 tournament. His fine form since arriving has definitely played a role in helping Palace to climb up the table and build a solid foundation under Patrick Vieira.

However, it looks like the centre-half will be out for a period of time. He was forced to withdraw from the national team squad, missing out on key World Cup qualifying fixtures – including against Scotland. Andersen has signed on a permanent deal worth over £18m, so fans will naturally want to see the big-price signing returning to the first team as soon as is possible.

The injury has been a major setback, with his call-up to the Danish national team a fine reward for a great season so far. The injury, though, has been described as ‘minor’ by the Danish FA. This means he will sit out a key tie against Scotland, as well as miss the derby with the Faroe Islands. It is a big blow for the Danes, who will be without a regular option in defence. However, it could arguably be even worse for the Palace team who need their best defender to get fit again as soon as possible.

It is likely that he will miss the next league for Palace, though the hope is that the minor injury can clear up a little bit quicker than was hoped for. International breaks tend to bring at least a couple of injuries, but Palace fans will not take any solace from that face.

When will Joachim Andersen be fit again?

At the moment, there is precious little detail on how his fitness or recovery is going. Given him impressive partnership both with Tosin Adarabioyo last year and his new partnership with Marc Guehi, though, there is a proven run of form from the defender. Reliability has been among his most key abilities, so this injury should not be one to keep the player out for too long.

Given the fee paid for him and Guehi, Crystal Palace fans were hopeful that the duo could finally create a solid foundation for defending with. The lack of form shown by some of the other defensive options, too, has meant that both have been stick-ons to start most weeks.

However, the injury will most likely mean that someone else will have to fill in for the defender as they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the break. With a six-match unbeaten run currently ongoing, Palace sit in a comfortable position in the league.

While Wolves have been in good form themselves, this match-up offers a timely chance to secure a better league position. And with the winter period just about to kick off in earnest, a rather small Palace squad needs its key players back as soon as is possible.

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