A blow for Crystal Palace and the Mali national team. While the Eagles were defeated 2-1 at Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday, the London outfit lost Cheick Doucouré. Injured in the Achilles tendon, the midfielder left his partners on a stretcher. And the early news is clearly not good, according to Palace coach Roy Hodgson. "He is seriously injured (...) It won't be an injury that will keep him out for a short time," Hodgson said, hinting at a lengthy absence. The English press are talking about an injury that could keep him off the pitch for up to six months. This would be a major blow not only for Cheick Doucouré and his club, but also for Mali, with whom he would then be out of contention for the AFCON 2023.