Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner conceded that Trevoh Chalobah could be recalled by parent club Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Chalobah made the move to Selhurst Park in August, joining Palace on a season-long loan in search for regular game time amid another overhaul of signings for the Blues.
The 25-year-old has impressed for the Eagles this term, making 12 Premier League appearances after missing the start of the campaign with an abdominal muscle strain.
Chelsea have already recalled Argentinean defender Aaron Anselmino from his loan at Boca Juniors, and Glasner said he could lose Chalobah for the second half of the season.
"It’s a tricky situation," Glasner said. "I always want to be honest. Chelsea has the possibility to call him back from loan.
"There’s a little bit of uncertainty at the moment: will they do it, when will they do it? We need clarity, he needs clarity.
"Let’s see [whether he plays]. Maybe Trevoh is involved, or not. He wants to stay here, but it’s a decision Chelsea can take. We are passengers; we are not the pilot who is flying the plane.
"My wish and Trevoh Chalobah’s wish is that he stays with us. Chelsea loaned him to us to give him minutes, to improve his game. This is what he did.
"But I think he’s not finished. It’s a one-year loan deal. But we’ll see."
At Leicester City, Ruud van Nistelrooy shared his transfer plans during this month’s window, with the Foxes looking to add to their ranks to ensure their survival this season.
Leicester find themselves 19th in the Premier League having gone six top-flight games without a victory, their last win coming in Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge against West Ham.
The Foxes have been linked with a move for Parma defender Woyo Coulibaly. Van Nistelrooy said that conversations he had before taking on the role were focused on welcoming new arrivals in January, but they have to be beneficial for both parties.
"We cannot confirm any news on any new player so far today, so let’s see how things develop," Van Nistelrooy said about being linked with signing Coulibaly.
"The most important thing is that the conversations in December that we had before I signed were aligned with that. It’s clear what is possible and what’s not.
"We are aligned and, in the process, of looking to strengthen, but it has to be right. As I said before, it’s a responsibility to get the right players in within the possibility. That’s the main thing."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Leicester – Jamie Vardy
Vardy ended his four-game goal drought with a penalty in Leicester’s 6-2 win over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup, and he will be hoping to carry that momentum into Wednesday's clash.
The veteran striker has netted seven times in 18 top-flight appearances against Palace, only scoring more against five other teams (Liverpool, Manchester City, Watford, Tottenham and Arsenal) in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze
Eze has been in fine form for Palace over the last few weeks, notching three goal involvements (two goals, one assist) in his last three games across all competitions.
After his assist against Chelsea, Eze moved level with Christian Benteke on 46 Premier League goal involvements for the Eagles (28 goals, 18 assists), with only Wilfried Zaha (96) being involved in more for Palace.
MATCH PREDICTION: CRYSTAL PALACE WIN
Palace are unbeaten in their last five away league games (W2 D3). In their history, only in October 1990 and February 1992 have the Eagles ever gone six successive top-flight away games without losing.
Only Everton (53%) have scored a higher percentage of their Premier League goals this season from set-plays (excl. penalties) than Glasner’s side (38%), with four of the Eagles’ last eight league goals coming via corners.
But having won four consecutive Premier League games against Leicester between 2017 and 2019, Palace have won just one of their last nine against the Foxes (D4 L4).
Leicester, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last four Premier League home games against Palace (W3 D1), with the most recent such meeting ending 0-0 in October 2022.
However, they have lost each of their last five Premier League games – the longest ongoing losing run in this season’s competition – while conceding two or more goals each time. Not since April 2001 have the Foxes lost six or more successive league matches while shipping more than once in each defeat (run of seven).
Leicester have also kept the fewest clean sheets of any side in the Premier League this season (one). The Foxes have recorded just two shutouts in their last 43 games in the competition – the joint-fewest over a run of 43 games by any side in the competition’s history, along with West Brom from December 2002 to January 2005, and Burnley from April 2022 to May 2024.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Leicester – 27.9%
Draw – 25.2%
Crystal Palace – 46.9%