Fresh blow for McCarthy

Palace centre-half Paddy McCarthy has been ruled out of Watford's visit to Selhurst Park on Saturday with a shoulder injury.

The Irishman suffered a recurrence of a problem in training this week and may need to go under the surgeon's knife to solve the problem.

Eagles boss Neil Warnock could continue with Claude Davis and Jose Fonte in the heart of his defence due to McCarthy's absence.

Youngster Sean Scannell remains a doubt with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad.

Striker Calvin Andrew made his first appearance since May from the bench last week and is again expected to be among the substitutes as he continues his recovery from a cruciate injury.