Cheick Doucoure Set to Make Long-Awaited Return for Crystal Palace After 20 Months Out
Cheick Doucoure Ready for Comeback in Carabao Cup
Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure is set to return to senior action after nearly 20 months sidelined by serious injuries. The Mali international will feature in the upcoming Carabao Cup third-round match against Middlesbrough, marking a significant milestone in his recovery journey.
The Long Road Back
Doucoure, 26, was named Crystal Palace's Player of the Year during his first season in 2022-23. His promising career hit a major setback when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in November 2023 during a match against Luton Town. After fighting back to make 13 appearances, he suffered another serious injury—a torn meniscus—in January 2024.
He regained fitness playing for the Under-21s at the end of last season and completed a full pre-season without issues. Now, the former Lens player is ready to rejoin the first team. His absence has been felt deeply at the club, especially since Liverpool showed strong interest in signing him during the summer of 2023 before his injuries began.
Manager Pierre Sage on Doucoure’s Return
"When I told him he would be with us today, his smile was incredible. I think his reaction was as if I gave him $1 million," said Sage. "That kind of joy is how we love this game. The only thing he wanted was to come back with the team."
Sage confirmed Doucoure will get some minutes in Tuesday’s cup tie, which will be his first competitive match since Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Leicester City in January 2025. The manager emphasized how important the midfielder’s comeback is for the squad’s spirit as they try to gain momentum early in the season.
Careful Rotation Strategy
Despite welcoming Doucoure back, Sage remains cautious about making sweeping changes to the starting lineup. He prefers to maintain team cohesion and avoid disrupting the rhythm, even in cup games. The manager stated that the Carabao Cup is a serious target for Palace this year, hoping for a deep run in the competition.
"I’m not really fond of big rotations because every time I do that, I’m unhappy—not just with the result but sometimes with the players’ coordination," Sage explained. "At the start of the season, we have to respect every player’s commitment and this might be their chance to prove it. We want to win this game because we are ambitious in this competition too, and it’s not just about rotation."
Palace’s Season So Far
Crystal Palace currently sit 13th in the Premier League table, having won once and lost twice. They aim to regain the form that brought them several trophies over recent seasons, including the FA Cup in 2024-25, the FA Community Shield in 2025, and the UEFA Conference League title last term.
After facing Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup, Palace will return to league action hosting Ipswich Town. They will look to build on their recent 3-2 victory over Fulham and secure back-to-back Premier League wins.
- Competition: Carabao Cup Third Round
- Date & Time: 8 September 2026, 20:45
- Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough
