Crystal Palace hope to have Matt Lawrence and James Scowcroft available to face much-changed Watford.
Eagles wait on duo for opening game of season
Crystal Palace hope to have Matt Lawrence and James Scowcroft available as they take on a much-changed Watford side.
Defender Lawrence is on the mend following a hernia operation and striker Scowcroft missed the end of last season with a hamstring injury.
Both came through 45 minutes of Palace's final friendly against Leicester last weekend to put themselves in contention.
Midfielder Neil Danns is the only injury absentee as he continues to struggle with a groin problem.
Ben Watson will not be considered as he wants to leave the club, so summer signing Nick Carle should make his debut in midfield alongside new skipper Shaun Derry.
Paddy McCarthy is in line for a first start at the back while another new face, Austrian defender Johannes Ertl, could be involved.
Watford news
Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd will hand Jon Harley a debut as his new-look side face a tough trip to Selhurst Park.
Harley has been Watford's only addition in a summer of departures from Vicarage Road and will play in a three-man midfield as Boothroyd ditches the direct style of play which saw them head the Championship for so long last season.
Tamas Priskin will lead the line in attack following the departures of Darius Henderson, Steve Kabba and Nathan Ellington while 19-year-old Theo Robinson may be handed his first start for the club on the wing after impressing on loan at Hereford last season.
Goalkeeper Richard Lee is out with a knee problem so veteran Mart Poom will return while winger Tommy Smith is also set to miss out with a groin problem.
Danny Shittu's sale to Bolton means Leigh Bromby and Jay DeMerit will start at the heart of defence while Ulises De La Cruz will start at right-back providing he signs a deal in time.
