Medical guru: This is real reason for Gallagher’s mystery Crystal Palace absence
Conor Gallagher has almost certainly tested positive for Covid-19 at Crystal Palace.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Gallagher, who has been a sensation since his arrival on loan from Chelsea, has not featured since the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat to Tottenham.
No update on the 21-year-old midfielder’s absence has been provided.
As per football.london last Friday (31 December) Palace assistant boss Osian Roberts simply said: “We’re unsure and we’re taking on a day to day basis.”
Roberts was filling in for manager Patrick Viera, who has contracted Covid along with Nathaniel Clyne, Wilfried Zaha and Cheikhou Kouyate.
Dinnery is adamant that Gallagher is also out for the same reason.
“Sometimes what a player or manager doesn’t say tells you more than what he does,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“Reading between the lines, you look at the terminology and the reluctance to provide an update.
“When it comes to updates, Palace are generally very forthcoming. There are no major problems with regard to getting updates.
“Then all of a sudden, something comes along that doesn’t quite sit right. Osian Roberts was very non-committal ahead of the game against West Ham.
“I thought it was quite interesting the words that he used. That led me to speculate that it possibly was Covid-related.
“The uncertainty around that might have been because of the new Covid guidelines.
“With the timelines involved, my understanding is that it is Covid related. But he could be back for the FA Cup.”
Gallagher has notched an impressive six goals and three assists in 17 league appearances this term.
He won his first England cap in November (2021).
In other news, pundit suggests Mikel Arteta is “worried” about Arsenal replacing him with Crystal Palace boss Viera after what I’ve seen.