Crystal Palace’s comfortable victory over Aston Villa was overshadowed by an injury scare involving winger Ismaïla Sarr. The Senegalese star, who had been enjoying a strong start to the season, found the net in the 3–0 win but was forced off late in the game after pulling up with discomfort.
Initial assessments from the club’s medical team confirmed a hamstring problem, later diagnosed as a grade II tear. This setback is expected to keep Sarr out for several weeks, with recovery timelines ranging between four and eight weeks depending on how quickly he responds to treatment.
The injury is a significant blow for both Crystal Palace and Senegal. For Palace, it removes one of their most direct attacking threats ahead of a challenging run of fixtures. For Senegal, it means going into World Cup qualifiers without one of their key forwards, limiting attacking options on the international stage.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner will now be forced to rethink his attacking setup. While Sarr’s absence opens the door for other wide options to step up, replacing his pace and creativity will be no easy task. Fans will be looking toward players like Yeremy Pino and others in the squad to fill the gap left on the right flank.
The hope is that Sarr can make a return around early October, possibly in time for Palace’s clash against Everton. Until then, both the club and national team must adjust quickly, knowing that one of their most dynamic talents is set for a spell on the sidelines.
