Roy Hodgson confirms Palace goalkeeper decision ahead of Everton FA Cup replay – with Henderson and Johnstone both available
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Sam Johnstone will start in goal for tomorrow’s FA Cup third round replay against Everton.
However, the 76-year-old admitted Dean Henderson is likely to keep his number one spot in the Premier League for Saturday’s visit to Arsenal.
The Eagles drew 0-0 with Sean Dyche’s side at Selhurst Park, which set up tomorrow’s tie at Goodison Park.
Johnstone started the season as the first choice under Hodgson despite the South Londoners shelling out an initial £15million on Henderson from Manchester United in the summer.
Ex-West Brom stopper Johnstone suffered a calf injury in the 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool on December 9, which allowed Henderson to step into the team and cement his spot as the first choice.
Wednesday’s game against Everton will be Johnstone’s first matchday squad involvement since succumbing to injury, with the Eagles heading to Arsenal for the early Premier League kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
“Sam Johnstone will play tomorrow,” confirmed Hodgson.
“Dean Henderson was the number one in the last league game, in the last games we’ve played, and has conducted himself well.
“Until such time as we give Sam his chance tomorrow and maybe Dean will come back into the game against Arsenal — more than likely, I would think, that will happen.
“Then we’ll move on to the next game and then with both of them knocking on my door saying: ‘I’m the number one – I’m the best goalkeeper’, I will have to make a decision which one I choose to play.
“It’s obviously comforting in some ways for the club to know that whichever choice I make, I’m putting a very good goalkeeper onto the field of play.
“But it’s also my job to keep players motivated, keep players wanting to play – to keep players feeling that they are appreciated and their worth is appreciated.
“That’s a little bit difficult when you’ve got two, both of whom believe — and with a lot of justification — that I should be the number one man. They are intelligent. They both know that I can’t play them both and I have to make a decision.
“I shall wait until that day comes to make the decision. I will probably have to justify it, even though there probably won’t be much justification because there is no doubt I am prepared to put a Crystal Palace team onto the field with either of those two in goal, because they are both good players.”
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