How we expect Crystal Palace and Fulham to line-up in derby

Wilfried Zaha continues to step up his recovery from a hamstring injury but is still training alone, while Jeffrey Schlupp is tentatively returning to training this week. Neither will be fit for the visit of Fulham on Sunday, however.

“He was out on the field today, which was good,” Hodgson said of Zaha on Friday. “He was training with the rehabilitation specialist that we have.

“It was good to see Wilf out there running and playing with the ball. Muscle injuries you have to be very careful, so I will have to wait to get the clearance from the medical department to make sure his first sprints aren’t met with a new injury or a recurrence of the old injury.

“I’m rather hoping that by next week we’ll be seeing him back again. That’s my hope.

“Jeffrey Schlupp and Connor Wickham took part in the early part of training with the team, after being with the rehabilitation specialists for a long period of time – but they didn’t join in with the more intensive session.”

Hodgson reverted to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation in Palace’s smash-and-grab victory over Brighton on Monday, where Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal for the club in style.

For Fulham, striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has returned to training having been suffering from coronavirus.

Manager Scott Parker said: “He’s back with us. He’s had some time off due to the virus. He’s now had a good few days of training. We’re monitoring him closely but he seems all well.”

Predicted Crystal Palace XI(4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Kouyate, Cahill, Mitchell; Milivojevic, Riedewald, Eze; Ayew, Townsend, Mateta

Predicted Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson; Anguissa, Reed; Cavaleiro, Loftus-Cheek, Lookman; Maja