Crystal Palace’s Norway striker leaves international camp with an ankle problem, but should be back for Coventry

Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has pulled out of the Norway squad with an ankle problem, but the injury is not believed to be serious and he could be back for the trip to Coventry City on Saturday 21 November.

The Norwegian FA confirmed on Wednesday that Strand Larsen would leave the camp before the Nations League games against Wales and Denmark. Erik Botheim has been called up in his place.

It is a worry Palace could do without. They are bottom of the Premier League with two wins from ten games, Jean-Philippe Mateta is suspended, and Pierre Sage is expected to lose his job in the coming days.

What did Norway say about Strand Larsen’s injury?

The federation’s statement said that after an examination of the 26-year-old’s ankle, and talks between the national team doctor and the manager, it was in his best interests to return to his club for rehabilitation.

Ståle Solbakken still has plenty of options up front. Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth were both named in the original squad, so Norway will not miss him as much as Palace would.

Will Strand Larsen be fit for Coventry?

The early signs are good. According to the Evening Standard, the problem is not thought to be serious, and he is set to return to London over the weekend for more treatment. That leaves him a week to prove his fitness before Palace travel to Coventry at 3pm on 21 November.

Why this ankle matters so much to Palace

This is not a new problem. Strand Larsen first hurt the ankle when Besiktas defender Umit Akdag fouled him in the 2-2 Europa League draw in October, a challenge that earned Akdag a straight red card.

He then missed the defeats to Newcastle and Tottenham, and only came back for the 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool, where he played 72 minutes.

His return mattered because Mateta was sent off against Spurs and banned for three games. The Frenchman served the first of them against Liverpool, which means he is still out for Coventry. Without either of them, Palace would be very short of a recognised centre-forward.

Sage, Frank and a must-win game

Whoever is in the Palace dugout that afternoon will need Strand Larsen. Sage is expected to be sacked during the break, and Thomas Frank remains the frontrunner to replace him, but as yet there has been no announcement from the club.

Coventry are only two points above Palace, in 17th, so this is already a six-pointer. A fit Strand Larsen gives the Eagles a focal point while Mateta sits out, and losing him for that game would make a desperate situation even worse.