Chris Richards missed Crystal Palace’s defeat to Tottenham on Sunday and remains doubtful heading into the start of 2026.

Eagles manager Oliver Glasner has not yet ruled Richards available for a New Year’s Day London Derby clash with Fulham on Thursday. Richards suffered a foot injury in Crystal Palace’s EFL Cup quarterfinal loss to Arsenal last week, one that led to the American defender receiving stitches after the match.

Richards has been key for the Eagles this season, making 25 appearances in all competitions. The 25-year-old has featured in three different competitions, including five in the UEFA Conference League.

However, Glasner may be forced to drop Jefferson Lerma into the backline again on Thursday if Richards is unavailable yet again.

“We don’t know if he’s available for Fulham,” Glasner said in his postmatch press conference. “His foot got stitched, but it’s still swollen. It’s going in the right direction, but you have to wear a boot and kick a ball, and with the wound right there, it’s very, very painful.

“And so again, it can be that he misses Fulham, it can be that he is available,” Glasner added.

Crystal Palace sit in ninth place following Sunday’s defeat, a result that extended its current winless run to five matches in all competitions. The Eagles schedule doesn’t get any easier either with Newcastle United and Aston Villa coming up after this week’s date with the Cottagers.