Cheick Doucouré
CRY
CM
Deep-Lying Playmaker
Jan 8, 2000 (26)
Right
5'11"
PalaceIn contention against Ipswich
Doucoure (knee) has returned to training and is in contention for Saturday's clash against Ipswich Town after illness delayed his senior comeback, according to coach Pierre Sage. "Cheick trained yesterday and this morning. All will be good for him. He was a little ill, but no, he's fine."
Analysis: Doucoure had been expected to make his first senior appearance in nearly 20 months against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, but illness ultimately kept him out of the squad. The midfielder has since trained on consecutive days and appears to have overcome the illness, putting him back in contention against Ipswich. His minutes are still likely to be carefully managed following his lengthy absence.
Set for senior return
Doucoure (knee) is set to make his first senior appearance in nearly 20 months during Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash with Middlesbrough, according to coach Pierre Sage, per The Athletic. "This is the first step and he will play a little bit on Tuesday for sure."
Analysis: Doucoure has already gained match fitness with the U21s this season and was included in the senior squad for Saturday's 3-2 win over Fulham but remained an unused substitute. Tuesday is now expected to mark the next step in his comeback, with manager Pierre Sage confirming he will receive some playing time. His minutes are likely to be managed initially after such a lengthy absence as he works toward establishing himself again in Palace's midfield rotation.
Features with U21s
Doucoure played 65 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 U21 match against Arsenal.
Analysis: Doucoure was back on the field for some action Saturday despite not being with the first team, as the midfielder tested his legs with the U21s. This is good news for the midfielder who missed all of last season with injuries, not getting in for a single minute with the first team. This could mean his return is coming soon, adding some depth to the midfield.
Fit to start, could be handled carefully
Doucoure is expected to play a role in the opening stages of the season following a long-term injury absence, with coach Pierre Sage saying "He's able to start. He didn't play much during the last two seasons so we have to consider him within this situation. When you play, you have to be confident, understand this moment is only a step and in a few moments you will be the player you were two years ago. That's why we will take our time with him.", reports Bobby Manzi of Daily Mail Sport, per Palace Report.
Analysis: Doucoure has made enough progress in his recovery to be in contention for minutes, but his comeback could be taken cautiously considering how long he was sidelined. The midfielder, who hasn't seen official action since January 2025, took part in six offseason friendlies without completing more than 45 minutes in any of them. Once he's back on the pitch for Premier League games, he'll add depth behind Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton in central midfield.
Fit to play in friendly
Doucoure (knee) is fit to play Saturday's friendly against Swindon and is building fitness ahead of the new 2026/27 Premier League season under new coach Pierre Sage, according to Bobby Manzi of Daily Mail.
Analysis: Doucoure has not featured in competitive action since January 2025, and his availability for a preseason friendly marks a significant step forward after a lengthy and frustrating spell on the sidelines that limited him to just 13 Premier League appearances (four starts) in2025/26. His involvement now gives Palace hope he can build toward a fuller role in central midfield under the new coaching staff after missing extended stretches of recent seasons.
Season over, targeting pre-season
Doucoure (knee) is ruled out for the remainder of the season, according to coach Oliver Glasner. "I think Checky won't play this season again. I hope that he can really recover and get back in the off-season, that he can start the pre-season with the new manager, with the new team in the best way. That's what I'm really hoping for him."
Analysis: Doucoure has not featured in competitive action since January 2025, making this another deeply frustrating chapter in a lengthy spell on the sidelines for the Crystal Palace midfielder. The focus now shifts entirely to having him fully recharged for pre-season under a new manager, with Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Adam Wharton continuing to share the central midfield duties for the remainder of the campaign. Doucoure ends the season with 16 tackles, 11 interceptions and 10 clearances in 13 Premier League apperances (four starts).
Season officially over
Doucoure (knee) won't play again in the 2025/26 season, with manager Oliver Glasner commenting "I hope that he can really recover and get back... that's what I'm really hoping for him", James Savundra of Sky Sports reports.
Analysis: Doucoure was hoping to return before the end of the campaign, but his knee setback proved more serious than originally expected. The midfielder hasn't seen any minutes of competitive action since January 2025, and he won't be an option at least until after the World Cup. His absence means Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Adam Wharton will remain in contention for central midfield roles for the remainder of the season.
Recovering after minor setback
Doucoure (knee) missed a few training sessions during the week, as manager Oliver Glasner revealed that "Cheicky had a few disrupted weeks. First of all, he had a daughter - that meant he was not in for two or three days. Then, he started training. He felt a little bit, in his muscle, not a heavy injury. But after two or three days' training, he was out for two or three days. He was in again, he had a scan and is fine, so I'm hoping he'll be back by the end of the week.", Bobby Manzi of News Shopper reports.
Analysis: Doucoure had made huge progress in rehabilitation from a long-term injury and even started for the youth team in March, but he's still unable to take part in top-division action. With the midfielder making his last first-team appearance in January 2025, he might still be far from becoming a consistent participant, and he'll continue to make a gradual return to full training in upcoming weeks. All of Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Adam Wharton may rotate in starting positions while Doucoure remains out.
Starts with youth team
Doucoure (knee) is in the starting squad for Friday's clash against Blackburn Rovers in Premier League 2, the club posted.
Analysis: Doucoure continues to ramp up his fitness with the youth squad in Premier League 2 and is set to start Friday's clash against Blackburn Rovers. The midfielder has been sidelined for over a year while recovering from an ACL injury, but his return to the lineup with the reserves is a strong sign he's closing in on a full comeback. If his progression stays on track, he could be pushing for a return to senior action in the coming weeks.
Still "long way to go"
Doucoure (knee) is still not an option and "there's still a long way to go for him," according to manager Oliver Glasner.
Analysis: Doucoure is still working his way back from injury and despite joining team training a few weeks ago, he is claimed to need more time to recover. This will be something to watch as he nears a return, with the midfielder still not yet to appear this season due to a torn ACL from more than a year ago. With the player in need of more recovery, his return likely won't come for another week or two, likely close to the end of February or March.
Joins team training
Doucoure (knee) was able to participate in training with the group for a few minutes, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "It was the first time - just for 20 minutes in the warm-up, in the rondo - that he was part of the group. He had his surgery on 28th January last year, so one year ago, and everybody was - because Cheicky is such a lovely guy - everybody was pleased for him."
Analysis: Doucoure is still recovering from his knee surgery from last season, nearing a year out. However, the midfielder is seeing a major update, as the midfielder did train for 20 minutes in a rondo session, a huge step in the right direction. He will then look to see a return in the next few weeks, probably needing to train fully for a week or so before he is viewed as an option.
Still building fitness
Doucoure (knee) is still far from making his return to competition since he is still building his fitness and trying to find stability and consistency, coach Oliver Glasner said in a press conference. "It takes time. I can't tell you a date Cheicky will be back with us. [It's about] getting him stable and consistent.
Analysis: Doucoure has been recovering from an ACL injury since late January and will need more time before making his return to the match squad, as he is still trying to find stability and consistency. The midfielder will then train and play for the U21 team to build his match fitness before resuming the senior squad loop and getting back to the pitch. This will take some time, which will likely sideline him until at least late January or early February, as it will depend on how he progresses during that period and whether he avoids a new setback in his recovery.
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