Oliver Glasner gives update on Adam Wharton injury as Crystal Palace boss slammed for ‘ridiculous’ decision

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is hopeful Adam Wharton will be fit to play in the Conference League final on Wednesday.

Wharton came on at half time of the Eagles’ 2-1 loss to Arsenal on the final day of the season but only lasted 17 minutes as he was forced off with an ankle injury.

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The midfielder appeared to be hurt from a challenge by Gunners youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly.

After being taken off, Wharton headed straight back up the tunnel at Selhurst Park for further assessment.

He later returned for the Palace player’s lap of appreciation, although he appeared to be limping.

Wharts and all

Speaking after the Gunners defeat, Glasner anticipates a diagnosis on Wharton’s injury to arrive on Monday.

“His ankle is a bit sore,” Glasner said.

“He always gives positive signals, but the real answer we’ll get tomorrow after he’s had one night of sleep.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad and he’s available for Wednesday.”

Wharton’s potential absence would be a major blow for Palace ahead of Wednesday’s Conference League final against Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.

Aside from a maiden European trophy, victory on Wednesday would guarantee Palace a berth in next season’s Europa League.

As it stands, the Eagles will not compete in Europe next season having finished the 2025/26 Premier League campaign 15th.

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But a win over Los Franjirrojos to secure an instant return to European football would be the perfect way for Glasner to sign off on his Selhurst Park tenure having confirmed his exit from the club earlier this season.

Groves: I ‘can’t believe’ Wharton was subbed on

Given Wharton has played 52 times for Palace across all competitions this term, his presence would be sorely missed in Wednesday’s final.

It’s why former Arsenal winger Perry Groves was left flabbergasted Glasner even dared to risk Wharton during a match with nothing riding on it.

Groves, who was on commentary duty for talkSPORT at Selhurst Park prior to the Gunners’ coronation as Premier League champions, said: “Oliver Glasner, it makes no sense to bring on your best player only for him to get injured. Ridiculous.”

Groves later added: “His body language was really poor when he was walking down the touchline in front of us. He was a bit hunched over. He was holding his ankle. So I think he’s gone over on his ankle.

“And I can’t believe that Oliver Glasner actually put him on. He should have been in a Winnebago somewhere with a monogrammed silk robe, you know what I mean, watching this game, because he is that important to them.

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“I was fuming that Gabriel came on for the second half. Why put your players in that position when you’ve rested them?

“This was a reserve team game today, so why would you put your best player on in a reserve team game to get that chance of injury?

“I hope for Adam Wharton and for Palace as well that he gets over it, and he might have, you know, a few injections, a few painkillers, because that is a massive game for Palace against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. Second biggest game in their history.”

How to follow the Conference League final

talkSPORT will have fans covered for Palace’s date with Rayo in the Conference League final, which is scheduled to kick off at 8pm at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.

Commentary will be coming from Sam Matterface and former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. Listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

It will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.