Allardyce can only hope over Mamadou Sakho’s injury

Crystal Palace will be without Liverpool loanee Mamadou Sakho for the game against Burnley on Saturday.

Sam Allardyce believes a win at Selhurst Park would rubber-stamp Palace’s Premier League survival, but they will have to do so with the influential Sakho.

The defender suffered what could prove to be a serious knee injury during the loss to Spurs last night, but Allardyce was putting on a brave face.

The Palace gaffer would not be drawn on the issue as he awaits the result of a scan, although he did admit he was hopeful of good news.

“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,” said Allardyce.

“We are unable to say what the extent of the injury is at the moment. It didn’t look to clever the way the knee hyperextended.

“Lets wait for the scan, will 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.”

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 said of his counterpart.

“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.”