Aaron Ramsdale is ‘tough-and-go’ to recover from a hip problem in time for Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace on Monday.
Ramsdale sustained the issue before the international break and was forced to withdraw from the England squad for the friendly wins over Switzerland and Ivory Coast at Wembley, having also missed the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Aston Villa on March 19.
The 23-year-old has not recovered to feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Brentford on Wednesday and the Times are reporting that Ramsdale remains a doubt for the trip to face Palace.
Ramsdale had made 24 league appearances since his £24m arrival from Sheffield United last summer, keeping 12 clean sheets. Only Ederson and Alisson have kept more shut-outs in the Premier League so far this season.
Bernd Leno will deputise should Ramsdale be deemed unfit to return, whilst doubts also remain over Takehiro Tomiyasu who has not featured in the Premier League since New Year’s Day.
The Japan international has been out with a calf problem and Arsenal are taking a patient approach with the right-back following his two-month absence from the side.
Mikel Arteta’s side are fourth in the Premier League at present, but could find themselves outside the Champions League places ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park on Monday should Tottenham beat Newcastle by two clear goals on Sunday.
