Cheick Doucoure Set to Make Long-Awaited Return for Crystal Palace After 20 Months Out

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure is on the verge of making his first senior appearance in almost 20 months. The Mali international endured a tough spell with serious injuries, but manager Pierre Sage confirmed he will play in their upcoming Carabao Cup match against Middlesbrough.

The Struggle Back to Fitness

Doucoure's career has been disrupted by significant injuries since November 2023. Initially, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a 2-1 loss to Luton Town. After a recovery that saw him play 13 games, he then faced a torn meniscus in January of last year. Despite these setbacks, the 26-year-old, who was voted Palace’s Player of the Year in his debut season (2022-23), has worked hard to regain full fitness.

He proved his readiness with the Under-21 team at the end of last season and completed a full preseason without issues. This return is especially meaningful given that Liverpool had shown interest in him before his injury troubles began.

Sage Shares Doucoure’s Joy at Return

“When I told him he would be with us today, his smile was incredible. I think his reaction was as if I gave him $1 million,” said Sage. “I like this kind of reaction because that’s the start of how we play football and love the game. The only thing he wanted was to come back with the team.”

The manager confirmed Doucoure will feature in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Middlesbrough. This match will mark his first competitive game since Palace’s 2-0 win over Leicester City on January 15, 2025. Sage highlighted how important the midfielder’s return is for the squad’s morale as they seek momentum early in the season.

Careful Team Rotation Ahead

While eager to include returning players like Doucoure, Sage is cautious about too many changes in the starting lineup. He prefers maintaining team coordination and rhythm, even in cup matches. Sage stated that Palace intend to take the Carabao Cup seriously and aim for a strong run.

“I’m not really fond of big rotations because every time I did that I’m unhappy at the end, not just with results but sometimes with player coordination,” he explained. “We have to respect all players’ commitment and this is an opportunity for them to show it. We want to win this game because we’re ambitious in this competition, and it’s not just about rotation.”

Palace Look to Build on Past Success

The Eagles have had a slow start in the Premier League, sitting 13th after one win and two losses. They hope to regain the form that brought them multiple trophies recently: the FA Cup in 2024-25, the FA Community Shield in 2025, and the UEFA Conference League last season.

After their cup fixture, Palace will return to league action hosting Ipswich Town, aiming for consecutive Premier League wins following a narrow 3-2 victory over Fulham.

• Competition: Carabao Cup
• Date & Time: 8 September 2026, 20:45
• Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough