Crystal Palace and West Ham United have both been dealt a significant setback after Eddie Nketiah suffered a hamstring strain, ruling him out for around six weeks, according to reports from Alan Nixon.
The 26-year-old former Arsenal forward signed for £25 million plus £5 million in add-ons picked up the injury after coming on as a substitute in Palace’s midweek defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
With a congested fixture schedule ahead—including four matches in the first ten days of January due to progress in multiple competitions—the timing could hardly be worse for Oliver Glasner, who is already managing squad rotation and fitness concerns.
Nketiah, earning over £110,000 per week at Selhurst Park, has been sharing striking duties with Jean-Philippe Mateta this season, though Mateta has also been hampered by a knee issue. The injury now forces Glasner to rely more heavily on limited attacking options during a demanding period.
The bigger implication, however, is for Nketiah’s immediate future. West Ham had made an approach to sign the striker in the January transfer window as they seek to bolster their goal threat amid a relegation battle, particularly following Niclas Fullkrug’s departure to AC Milan. The Hammers viewed Nketiah as a player who could make an instant impact in their survival push.
But with the six-week layoff likely covering most of January, any potential move now appears off the table. Clubs are reluctant to sign an injured player who cannot contribute immediately, especially in a short winter window. As a result, Nketiah won’t be making a January switch to West Ham and is set to remain with the Eagles for the rest of the season.
Since joining Palace in a £30m deal, expectations were high for Nketiah to fulfill his potential with regular minutes. Praised for his intelligent movement and clinical finishing, he has struggled with recurring injuries, competition from Mateta, and inconsistent form—managing just 11 goals in 55 appearances so far.
Glasner will need to find alternative solutions up front in the coming weeks, while Nketiah’s longer-term situation at the club may come under further scrutiny once he returns to fitness.