Sage boosted by return of duo from injury ahead of Hoffenheim clash

Crystal Palace head coach Pierre Sage has been boosted by the return of Quinten Timber and Jørgen Strand Larsen from injury.

The duo have been absent from the side since both getting injured during Palace’s last European match away at Beșiktaș.

The Eagles currently sit in 15th place in the league phase of the Europa League after three matches, and welcome Bundesliga side Hoffenheim to Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.

Sage confirmed both Timber and Strand Larsen are now ready to play a part for the South Londoners again.

“Both [players] will be back with us,” Sage said.

“They were training with us last week but not ready to play, but now they are ready to play. All [others] will be okay.”

It has been a difficult start to the season for Sage’s side since the Frenchman arrived at the club in the summer, with the Eagles lying in 18th in the Premier League after nine games. This will be Palace’s eighth match in 25 days.

The 47-year-old says his side must deal with the congested schedule as they juggle three competitions.

“First of all it’s exciting, because if we play in a European cup, it’s because the team did well last year and won the Conference League. We have to deal with that but it’s a good thing.

“To deal with three different competitions, for the process, it’s always the same because we prepare in the same way.

“The difference between the three competitions is the time we have before the games to prepare. This time we have three sessions before the game, one more than the two [games] before, and that’s really important because we need time to work, especially when we’re in our situation.

“What we did during these sessions was really important for the confidence of the players, for their understanding of the gameplan, and for their capacity to apply it.”