Crystal Palace Confirm Sarr and Mateta Both Out for Fulham Trip

Crystal Palace head coach Pierre Sage has confirmed that Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will both remain unavailable for Saturday's Premier League trip to Fulham.

"Sarr needs time to recover. He is injured at the moment," Sage told his pre-match press conference, with the winger continuing to nurse a groin problem that has kept him out since the start of the season. Sarr's situation was complicated further by a failed deadline-day exit, with Liverpool showing interest before the move collapsed. Sage addressed the fallout from a pointed statement released by Sarr's agent following the collapsed transfer, saying: "I don't really agree with this position. I just want to say that the club and the people here are respectful and we want the best for our club and players."

On Mateta, who was Palace's top scorer last season with 21 goals across all competitions, Sage confirmed: "As I said last time, Mateta is injured, now for three weeks." The club's only other long-term absentee is defender Chadi Riad, with Sage confirming everyone else in the squad has recovered well following the last match against Manchester City.

The extended absences leave Palace light in attack for the trip to Craven Cottage, with the club needing others to step up in the final third in the meantime.