Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway will not be able to hand a debut to summer signing Jerome Thomas when the Eagles welcome Tottenham to Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The 30-year-old winger suffered an ankle injury in a friendly against Lazio last weekend and is set to be sidelined for at least two weeks.
However, a host of other new signings could be in line for their competitive debuts with the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Elliott Grandin likely to be involved.
Captain Paddy McCarthy is back in training but will not be ready while Glenn Murray and Yannick Bolasie are also absent.
Meanwhile, unsettled Tottenham forward Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Sunday's game because of a foot injury.
Defender Jan Vertonghen is doubtful due to an ankle injury he suffered in pre-season while midfielder Lewis Holtby misses out with a knee injury.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor will not feature as he only returned from compassionate leave on Wednesday while midfielder Scott Parker is expected to be left out of the squad as he is in talks with other clubs about a move away from White Hart Lane.
Manager Ian Holloway has bemoaned his thin squad, and has a trio of players unavailable for Sunday. Striker Glenn Murray -- who scored an impressive 30 league goals last season -- is out with a long-term knee problem, while wingers Jerome Thomas and Yannick Bolasie have ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.
Tottenham too have injury concerns, with Jan Vertonghen and Lewis Holtby both expected to miss out with ankle and knee problems. Gareth Bale has apparently been ruled out due to a foot injury, and not in connection with the ongoing transfer speculation linking him to Real Madrid.
Spurs manager André Villas-Boas could hand debuts to club-record signing Roberto Soldado, Paulinho and Nacer Chadli, though this game may come too early for new defensive midfielder Étienne Capoue to be integrated into the first team.
Crystal Palace injuries and suspensions
Out: Glenn Murray (knee), Jerome Thomas (ankle), Yannick Bolasie (hamstring) In doubt: None
Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions
Out: Gareth Bale (foot), In doubt: Jan Vertonghen (ankle), Lewis Holtby (knee)
Match Date\Time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m. local, 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Selhurst Park, London, England
