Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur may miss rest of season

Crystal Palace could be without James McArthur for the rest of the season after the midfielder damaged ankle ligaments.

McArthur was hurt during Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat by Bournemouth and is joined on the sidelines by winger Jason Puncheon, whose hamstring injury is likely to keep him out for four weeks.

Speaking at his press conference on Thursday, Pardew said: "I have some disappointing news.

"McArthur is out for a long period we think and Puncheon is going to miss a long period as well, so that is just more injuries on the list.

"They have both been having fabulous seasons for us, so that's a significant blow."

McArthur later tweeted: "Looks like season over for me with ankle ligaments torn. Just another challenge in my career to make sure I work hard and come back stronger."

Pardew did have some better news for Palace fans, adding: "Yohan Cabaye should be back for Saturday [away at Swansea] and Bakary Sako and Yannick Bolasie for Spurs [FA Cup tie on February 20].

"Dwight Gayle has trained so he is back and available. And Sullay Kaikai has also trained and he is available - a young player I would probably have used in this period without Bolasie but unfortunately he was injured."

But the loss of McArthur and Puncheon comes at a bad time for Palace, who have reached the fifth round of the cup but have been struggling in the Premier League.

The Eagles have slipped to 12th in the table and Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth was their fifth League loss in succession.

And Pardew says he would be satisfied with a point from this weekend's trip to the Liberty Stadium.

"We've had two good cup wins but the league win has avoided us," he said. "Even a draw would be a good result at the moment.

"We need to get off the points total we're stuck on, that will help mentally.

"We're going to keep pushing. There are some things I will look to tweak, but we do that every game. Win, lose or draw, you have to keep momentum."