Crystal Palace centre back Chris Richards has recovered from the knee injury that ruled him out of the USA's 5-2 defeat to Belgium. Richards complained of soreness in his knee upon arrival at the USA training camp and was expected to miss the match against Portugal too but could now play.
Oliver Glasner was greeted with positive news as USA defender Chris Richards appears to have recovered from a knee injury in time to face Portugal.
Richards withdrew from the USA’s match with Belgium on Saturday, a game which the European side won 5-2.
It was initially feared that Richards would also miss the match against Portugal due to pain in his knee that he self-reported to the US medical staff.
But according to Ben Jacobs, Richards has seen an improvement in his knee pain and now may be fit and able to play for the USA against Portugal.
It is a timely boost for Mauricio Pochettino, who will hope to end this international break positively and having Richards back at the heart of his defence will make a marked difference.
Pochettino will not be the only manager relieved by his recovery, though, with Oliver Glasner also likely to be delighted.
Palace are next in action on April 9 against Fiorentina in the Conference League and Glasner will want his strongest XI for that game and the rest of the season, with the Eagles looking to add a European crown to their FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.
Jacobs said on Twitter: “Chris Richards says his knee soreness has resolved and he will be available for the USMNT vs. Portugal on Tuesday."
Richards has been a key member of the Crystal Palace team under Glasner, initially alongside Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi, and now in a back three with Lacroix and France U21 star Jaydee Canvot.
The original back three was crucial to Palace winning the FA Cup last season and then the Community Shield in September while with Canvot and Morocco’s Chadi Riad now competing for the spot alongside Richards and Lacroix, The Eagles are the favourites to take the Conference League this season.
Palace return to action in the Conference League after a three-week break, but it is then a hugely busy period, with five games in 16 days.
Palace host Newcastle and West Ham in the Premier League either side of the second leg against Fiorentina, before a daunting trip to Anfield to cap a hugely busy return to domestic football.
Should the advance past Fiorentina, it will only get more intense, with the semi-finals fitting in around Premier League clashes against Bournemouth, Everton, Brentford and Arsenal in May.
If Palace are to compete for the Conference League and enjoy a positive end to the Premier League season, they will need Richards fit and firing.