Benteke on the way back for Palace

Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke could make his first-team return against Everton at Selhurst Park on 18 November, according to Eagles' boss Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson says the Belgium international striker won't be available for Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Wembley, which is live on BT Sport 1 [kick off 12 noon], but could be fit for bottom-of-the-table Palace's relegation showdown against 18th-placed Everton.

Benteke was ruled out for at least six weeks with the knee ligament damage he suffered in Palace's 5-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on 23 September.

The 26-year-old was omitted from Belgium manager Roberto Martinez's squad for the international friendlies against Mexico on 10 November, and Japan on 14 November, but Hodgson says he spoke with the former Everton boss about Benteke during Wednesday night's Tottenham v Real Madrid Champions League game at Wembley.

And he confirmed that the former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker could return for the must-win game against the Toffees in two weeks' time.

"He's {Martinez] aware of the fact this is a medial ligament damage and it's a six-to-eight week injury," the 70-year-old said.

"It's now about six or seven weeks since he actually did it and we are actually hoping that he will be able to train almost fully with us during the international break.

"But of course it will again be monitored and going to an international team where you'd be expected to play for 90 minutes - he's not ready for that at this moment in time."

Centre-back Mamadou Sakho and midfielder James McArthur, who both missed Saturday's 2-2 draw with West Ham United at Selhurst Park through injury, trained on Friday and are available for selection against Tottenham.

"Mama Sakho trained today, as did James McArthur," the former England boss said on Friday.

"It is good to see those two back. We do have to be careful with James though, as it's a problem with the ligament in his ankle and when you get that type of problem you have to live with them for a period of time before you are entirely pain free. 

"We'll see how he's feeling after today's session."

Hodgson says Dutch full-back Patrick van Aanholt "is making incredible progress" from the hamstring injury he suffered against West Ham, but is unlikely to recover in time for Sunday's game.

"He has less of a chance of making it but he is a fit person and doesn't need days and days of training to get back to where he was," Hodgson continued.

"I will make a decision after I spoken to the doctor and the medical department."

Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace take on Tottenham at Wembley in the Premier League on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport pack on Sunday, 5 November [kick off 12 noon].

Image: Getty/Laurence Griffiths

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