October 16 2002

Steve Thomson

STEVE THOMSON could be out of action for six weeks following a hairline fracture of the leg.

He suffered the injury against Sheffield Wednesday last month and the midfielder's injury is worse than first thought.

A Palace spokesman said: "He has a hairline fracture and will be out for four to six weeks."

Jamie Smith could need two months to recover from his knee injury. He's had two operations to repair cartilage damage.

A spokesman said: "There have been complications because of swelling in his knee. He is not yet in training and needs rest."

Palace have had a terrible run of injuries this season. Matt Clarke is out for the season, Ade Akinbiyi has yet to deature this season and is due to return in November, Kit Symons is still recovering from a groin strain, while Julian Gray, Alex Kolinko and Dougie Freedman are not 100 per cent fit.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night Aki Riihilahti played the full 90 minutes in Finland's 2-0 defeat away to Yugolslavia in European Championship Qualifying Group 9.