Blow for Palace as Allardyce rules Sakho out

Mamadou Sakho will not feature in Crystal Palace’s remaining two matches of the Premier League season, says manager Sam Allardyce.

The France defender, who joined on loan from Liverpool in January, was in fine form for the Eagles until he sustained knee ligament damage in the 1-0 loss against Tottenham last month.

Sakho missed defeats to Burnley and Manchester City and will not be involved in the crucial relegation six-pointer with Hull City on Saturday.

Allardyce has confirmed the 27-year-old is unlikely to have enough time to recover for the final-day visit to Manchester United.

“I don’t think [he will play against United],” Allardyce told a news conference.

“He has been away in France, and is back here now, but I think it won’t be a long enough recovery period to think he will be available for Old Trafford.

“I didn’t get my hopes up too much and we had to wait for the scans.

“Perhaps if he was a quick healer he might have had a chance, but that hasn’t proved to be the case.”

SA: Not really [a chance of Sakho playing v Utd]. I don’t think so. It won’t be long enough to think he’ll be fit for Old Trafford.#CPFC