Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: Eagles 'sweating' over Yohan Cabaye fitness

Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye is a major doubt for the Premier League visit of Manchester United on Saturday (31 October) after missing the Capital One Cup defeat to Manchester City due to injury. The France international was left out of the 5-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium and manager Alan Pardew is "sweating" over his fitness.

Jason Puncheon, Connor Wickham, Marouane Chamakh, Pape Souare and Kwesi Appiah also sat out the game through injury, while James McArthur also missed the fourth round tie as his wife prepares to give birth. All of the Eagles' injury absentees are doubtful for the visit of Louis van Gaal's side to Selhurst Park and there is also concern over Yannick Bolasie who suffered a head injury.

Pardew was forced to deploy Mile Jedinak, Joe Ledley and Jordon Mutch in midfield but to no avail as Palace were dumped out of the League Cup as City ran riot. Wilfried Bony and Kevin de Bruyne netted in the first half before Kelechi Iheanacho, Yaya Toure and Nacho Garcia completed the romp after the break. Damian Delaney did reply for Palace but it was too little, too late.

"Cabaye was injured and we're sweating on him for Saturday [against United]," Pardew revealed after the game in a post-match press conference according to Palace's official YouTube channel. "[Jason] Puncheon was ill and [James] McArthur's wife is due to have their child tonight. Fingers cross she has it, it might be the only good news we get. Those three guys we missed.

"Connor [Wickham] and [Marouane] Chamakh are both training but they won't make Saturday for sure. Pape [Souare], same again fingers crossed, and he is an important player for us down that left-hand side."

With four goals and one assist in 10 Premier League appearances, Cabaye has been a crucial figure for Palace since joining the club from Paris Saint Germain during the summer transfer window. The loss of the ex-Newcastle United playmaker is a big boost for United, who have suffered an uncertain build-up to the weekend fixture also.

United were dumped out of the League Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough; losing 3-1 on penalties at Old Trafford after the game finished goalless after 120 minutes. Manager Van Gaal made nine changes to his team from the derby draw with City, with the Dutch coach admitting that the fitness of some of his players is in the 'red zone'.