NEIL WARNOCK says he has his fingers crossed that his players return unscathed from international duty.
The Eagles have nine players on international duty this time around, with all players due to report back to training at Palace ahead of the visit of Chelsea on Saturday.
The club versus country debate has been raised again this week with England boss Roy Hodgson admitting that Liverpool star Raheem Sterling said he felt tired ahead of the Three Lions' clash with Estonia on Sunday.
Palace boss Warnock says he has been keeping tabs on his players and hopes that all of them report back fit as he looks to prepare his side for the clash with the Premier League leaders in the coming days.
"It is not easy having so many players away, but it is the same for Chelsea and everyone else," he said.
"Of course, you want your better players around to prepare for the game, but it is one of those things.
"Everyone should be back by Thursday, except for maybe Yannick Bolasie. We don't know when he will be back but we just have to get on with it.
"Hopefully they will all come back fit, that is all you can ask when they go off for international duty and you just have to cross your fingers."
