Sam Allardyce concerned over Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho
Thursday 27 April 2017 13:36, UK
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce struggled to put a positive spin on the medical status of Mamadou Sakho on Thursday.
The 27-year-old, on loan from Liverpool, has impressed at the heart of the Eagles' defence but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Tottenham.
He fell awkwardly during the second half at Selhurst Park as he tried to challenge Harry Kane and received treatment before being carried off.
Allardyce would not be drawn on the issue as he awaits the result of a scan with their next Premier League clash at home to Burnley on Saturday.
"I'd like to think it is not serious and he will get back before the end of the season but I'm not sure," Allardyce said.
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"We are unable to say what the extent of the injury is at the moment. It didn't look too clever the way the knee hyperextended.
"Let's wait for the scan, we'll probably have to contact Liverpool depending on how serious the damage is. We can't speculate on if, when and how and the seriousness of the injury."
Sakho has been an influential figure as Palace have pulled clear of the bottom three, although their unbeaten run came to an end on Wednesday, Christian Eriksen scoring to give Spurs a 1-0 win after the defender had departed.
Damien Delaney is likely to deputise as Allardyce looks to inflict further woe on Dyche, even if he does appreciate what the Burnley boss has achieved.
"He has built a very good football club from top to bottom on the stability he has brought to Burnley," Allardyce added.
"He has made Burnley owners and directors look at the finance of it and they are actually making money which is a bit unusual for a long time.
"Within that money he has brought in by getting promoted they have evolved at a steady pace, patient, and if you look in the football dictionary you won't find the word patience because there isn't one, but there is at Burnley."
