(Credit: Imago, Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Callum O'Connell

Fri 20 March 2026 6:45, UK

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Crystal Palace are making long-term plans for Cheick Doucoure to return to their starting XI and will not rush his recovery from two major injuries.

Doucoure has had two huge blows in recent years, firstly with a ruptured achilles tendon, and then with a torn meniscus, and last featured for Oliver Glasner’s side in January 2025.

However, he has made two appearances for the Eagles’ Under-21 side this month, firstly with 45 minutes against Blackburn Rovers and then 70 minutes against Wolves.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace are determined not to rush his recovery after such a long period on the sidelines.

The Mali international has previously faced setbacks in his recovery, and while Palace are planning for a busy transfer window, they are hopeful his return will provide a boost.

Crystal Palace planning to Cheick Doucoure return

Brown told Football Insider on 26 February that Crystal Palace are preparing for a mass exodus of their star players in what is set to be a turbulent summer.

Doucoure’s return from injury, whenever the club feel he is ready, will provide a welcome boost against the backdrop of concerns given his talent.

The midfielder was named Crystal Palace’s player of the season after his first year at the club in 2022-23, and they are hopeful he can return before the end of this season.

“Any player who misses that amount of time needs to be careful,” Brown told Football Insider.

“There are a lot of complications that can happen in their recovery, so they need to take things slowly and make sure they’re ready to make the next step.

“Eventually when they do come back, they’re short on match pratice, and that’s why it’s so important for them to play Under-21s football.

“Cheick Doucoure has missed what has felt like a couple of years now for Crystal Palace.

“He had two really serious injuries, firstly his achilles and then his knee, so it’s been a consierable amount of time on the sidelines.

“It would be impossible just to say yep, he’s fit to play Premier League football on Saturday. It was never going to happen like that, the thinking has to be long-term.

“He has to get used to the pace of the game, the passing, the intensity. Under-21 football still doesn’t replicate the Premier League, but it’s an important step.

“Palace are hopeful now that he can keep going from strength the strength, get a few more minutes under his belt, and eventually he can come back.

“It’s something they’d like to do before the end of the season, but they’re not going to rush him, it’s a long-term process that they want to be careful with.”

Which players could leave Crystal Palace this summer?

While Palace plan for Doucoure to return before they end of the season, they are bracing to lose other key players in what could be a turublent summer.

Following Marc Guehi’s departure and Glasner’s confession that he will leave upon the expiry of his contract, a number of players are considering their futures.

Brown told Football Insider last month that Crystal Palace are concerned about Adam Wharton and feel his head may have been turned by interest in his signature.

The likes of Liverpool, Man United and Real Madrid have been keeping a close eye on his progress at Selhurst Park and could make a move this summer.

While there is no indication that the England international would push for a move, Palace may struggle to keep hold of him if a big-money offer arrives.