Crystal Palace face a left-back dilemma ahead of their showdown with fierce rivals Brighton on Monday night.

Roy Hodgson revealed that he will be without both Patrick van Aanholt and Jeffrey Schlupp for the A23 derby at Selhurst Park.

Dutchman van Aanholt is still struggling with a thigh muscle injury picked up against Bournemouth nine days ago while Schlupp, deputising for van Aanholt, was withdrawn at the break against Watford at the weekend.

It’s been reported that Schlupp has damaged ligaments in his hip which could rule him out for up to three months, although Hodgson was reluctant to put a time frame on a return date.

“There's no question of him just missing this one game and bouncing straight back,” he said.

“How long it will be I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.

“I don't know, the doctors are not very willing to put timescales on the injuries but it's going to keep him out for a period of time.”

Schlupp has played a key part in Palace’s turn around in form in recent weeks, coming off the bench to score in victories at Burnley and in the home tie against Bournemouth.

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The versatility of Schlupp, predominantly deployed in midfield by Hodgson, had seen him cover van Aanholt admirably at left back after the former Chelsea man pulled a hamstring last week.

Similar to Schlupp, there’s no time frame on a return for van Aanholt.

“He is very keen to get back as soon as possible, and he is working hard to that end.

“We are very much in the hands of the medical staff in that respect because with muscle injuries the date when the player returns is of vital importance because we see so often a player coming back from an injury only to get injured again.

“We will have to wait and see how his rehabilitation progresses.”

Another full-back that will not be available for Hodgson is Joel Ward who is expected to miss the entire Christmas period in what Hodgson called a ‘long one,’ (injury).

Jairo Riedewald is expected to deputise at left back for Brighton’s visit on Monday.