Pierre Sage confirms Ismaila Sarr absence for Crystal Palace’s Manchester City test

Ismaila Sarr will miss Crystal Palace’s second Premier League fixture of the season against Manchester City because of a groin injury, manager Pierre Sage has confirmed.

Crystal Palace host the Sky Blues at Selhurst Park, but Sarr will not be involved after also sitting out the opening-day defeat by Everton, when Palace lost 2-0.

The Senegal international was one of Crystal Palace’s standout performers last season and has been linked with a possible move during the transfer window. However, Sage insisted those reports have no connection with the player’s current absence.

“There is no chance that he will play on Friday. He is injured. He is feeling pain in his groin. That is why you did not see him training with us today,” said Sage, the former Olympique Lyonnais manager.

“But we are going to prepare him. He needs time. I thought it would be quicker, but I am not part of the medical staff. That is why I am being patient and we will prepare him for his return to the group.”

Sarr’s injury means Crystal Palace will again be without a player who made a significant impact for them during the previous campaign. His absence comes at a difficult stage of the season, with Manchester City providing the opposition in Palace’s first home match of the Premier League campaign.

The winger’s fitness has also been discussed alongside speculation about his future, but Sage was clear that the player remains part of his plans. Asked whether Sarr could leave the club, he dismissed the prospect of Crystal Palace allowing the Senegal forward to depart.

“He has three years left on his contract and it is not easy to leave when that is the case,” Sage said.

Sarr was not involved in the 2-0 loss to Everton on the opening weekend and will now have to continue his recovery away from competitive action. Sage indicated that the club would take a cautious approach rather than rush the player back before he is ready.

The timing of his return remains uncertain. Although Sage had initially expected Sarr’s recovery to progress more quickly, he acknowledged that decisions over the player’s rehabilitation rested with the medical team.

Crystal Palace will therefore face Manchester City without one of their key attacking options, while Sarr continues to recover from the groin problem. At the same time, Sage’s comments have underlined the club’s position that the player’s absence is injury-related and not a consequence of the transfer speculation surrounding him.