Dean Henderson Absence At Crystal Palace Leaves Walter Benítez To Make Premier League Debut
dean henderson was absent from the Crystal Palace squad named to face Leeds United, with manager Oliver Glasner revealing the goalkeeper was ill and had been at home with a fever in the days leading up to the match.
Dean Henderson Sidelined With Illness
Glasner explained that the regular number one was feverish in the two days before the match, and that it made no sense to include him in the squad while he was unwell. The manager said the decision was precautionary and left Henderson off the bench entirely.
Henderson had been a constant selection in league play, appearing in each of Palace’s last 29 league matches and recording 10 clean sheets in that run. His absence opened the door for Walter Benítez to take the starting spot for the Leeds fixture.
Walter Benítez Steps In For Premier League Debut
Benítez, who joined Palace as a free agent last summer after leaving PSV Eindhoven, was selected in goal. Glasner noted that Benítez had featured in cup competitions and that the Leeds match would be his debut in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old Argentine has been used as the cup goalkeeper this season, appearing six times across competitions and keeping two clean sheets. The Leeds match represents his first league appearance for Palace, with Remi Matthews named on the bench as the other substitute goalkeeper.
Rotation, Team News And Stakes For Palace
Glasner made multiple changes from the side that drew 0-0 in midweek in Europe, bringing Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes into the starting lineup in place of Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton. Hughes was handed the captaincy for the match.
Palace’s confirmed starting XI for the game read: Benítez; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Johnson, Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen. The bench included Matthews, Pino, Mateta, Clyne, Kamada, Wharton, Sosa, Riad and Devenny.
The rotations reflect Palace’s attention to a second-leg European tie later in the week. The club will have one eye on Thursday’s return match against AEK Larnaca in the Round of 16, with the aggregate score level at 0-0 following the first leg at Selhurst Park.
Leeds Changes And Broader Context
Leeds made adjustments of their own, with two changes to the side that last started in the Premier League. Jayden Bogle and Ilia Gruev were moved to the bench, while Jaka Bijol and Lukas Nmecha were introduced into the starting lineup. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a late fitness call but was passed fit to start.
Benítez will be making his top-flight debut against a Leeds team described as embroiled in a relegation battle. Palace, by contrast, sit well clear of immediate danger in the table, positioned 14th and 10 points above the drop zone with nine games remaining.
Immediate Outlook
With dean henderson sidelined short term by illness, Palace will rely on Benítez in goal for the fixture against Leeds and hope to have their usual starter available for the upcoming European second leg. The club’s rotation choices and squad depth will be tested over a congested schedule, and Palace’s medical and coaching staff will monitor Henderson’s recovery ahead of the next matches.
