Crystal Palace is considering groin surgery for Adam Wharton, as the midfielder’s ongoing injury is unlikely to resolve without intervention, according to manager Oliver Glasner.
Wharton, who recently made the 25-player shortlist for the European Golden Boy award, has been a key performer for Palace since his arrival from Blackburn in January, earning him a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad. However, this season, the 20-year-old has been relying on painkillers to play through matches and has withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad during both the September and October international breaks to manage his injury.
“He’s ready for Monday,” Glasner stated, ahead of Palace’s upcoming match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, as the team aims for their first Premier League victory of the season.
“It is always the same; we have to manage him,” Glasner continued. “He saw another specialist [during the international break], and it’s always up and down. He’s trained quite well this week, so he’s available and okay.”
When asked if the injury might persist throughout the season without treatment, Glasner admitted, “We don’t know at the moment. It does not look like it will disappear. We are looking for the right moment for a proper break. I checked the schedule and couldn’t find one. I’m used to having a break around Christmas, but here it’s the busiest time.”
He added, “We will see. As long as he can handle the issues and the pain, we’ll maintain the current approach. If it worsens, he might need a longer break and surgery.”
Glasner emphasized that the decision isn’t just about giving Wharton a few weeks off: “It’s not about giving him a two-, three-, or four-week break; it’s about whether he needs surgery or not. That’s the question we need to answer.”
Glasner also opened up about Palace’s challenging start to the season, mentioning that he struggled to unwind during the international break while visiting family in Austria. He revealed that his family noticed his preoccupation, telling him: “It’s like you’re not really here.”
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