Crystal Palace 'thin on the ground' ahead of Arsenal but James McArthur and Joe Ledley could return

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce is facing an injury crisis ahead of his side's game against Arsenal on Monday (10 April) but revealed that midfielders James McArthur and Joe Ledley could both feature against the Gunners.

The injuries have piled up for the Eagles over the last few days with Yohann Cabaye, Scott Dann and James Tomkins all picking up knocks of varying severity during their side's last two matches against Chelsea and Southampton.

The trio join the likes of Patrick van Aanholt and Loic Remy on the treatment table but Allardyce, who saw his side's unbeaten run come to an end against the Saints on Wednesday evening, was more upbeat about McArthur's chances of facing Arsenal, while Wales international Ledley is set to be in contention after missing the 3-1 defeat by Southampton due to the birth of his child.

"Patrick van Aanholt, Scott Dann, James Tomkins, Pape Souare, Yohann Cabaye (calf strain), James McArthur, Connor Wickham, Loic Remy and Fraizer Campbell are all injured," Allardyce said in his press conference. "We're thin on the ground now. James McArthur may be back for Arsenal. He's not played a huge amount since his back spasms. Joe Ledley's back after the birth of his child."

Crystal Palace currently sit just three points above the drop zone and have the toughest run-in out of all the relegation candidates. Along with the upcoming visit of Arsenal, Crystal Palace host Tottenham in a couple of weeks and also have to pay visits to Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United. Allardyce's men do have a game in hand over 18th-placed Swansea City, but he is fully aware of the difficulty of the task facing him and his squad.

"It's not 'arguably' – we've got the hardest run-in, we have got the hardest run-in," the Crystal Palace boss added. "Who can hold their nerve usually decides staying up. You're into single figure games, the bell starts ringing. Time to stand up.

"Our game in hand is Tottenham at home, so not an easy task to take advantage of that, the form they're in, chasing Chelsea. I thought two weeks ago the bottom seven of us would fight it out between us, it's changed dramatically since. Chopping and changing."