Crystal Palace midfielder Conor Gallagher appears set to be absent for the second game running ahead of the Eagles' clash against West Ham United on New Year's Day, having missed Tuesday's 3-0 triumph over Norwich City.

What's the story?

The 21-year-old Chelsea loanee was absent against Norwich, the first Premier League match he had missed since the opening day when he was ineligible to play against his parent club.

Assistant manager Osian Roberts was unable to confirm the reason for Gallagher missing out against the Canaries, with the assumption that it was down to illness.

Ahead of their London derby against West Ham this evening, Roberts providing the latest on the youngster, stating: "It's still one we're unsure of and we're taking on a day to day basis."

Palace fans will be sweating

Gallagher has arguably been Palace's best player so far this season, netting six goals and registering three assists in 17 Premier League appearances thus far, a fruitful first half of his loan spell in south London.

The 21-year-old has already tripled his goal tally from last season, when he managed two goals on loan at West Bromwich Albion as the Baggies suffered an instant return to the Championship.

Palace fans will be desperate to have the midfielder back as soon as possible given his prolific form, and the longer it goes that a definitive answer on the reason for his absence cannot be provided, the more the Selhurst Park faithful will worry.

Gallagher scored his first two goals for Palace in the reverse fixture earlier this season at the London Stadium in a 2-2 draw, and a similar result at Selhurst Park against David Moyes' European-chasing charges wouldn't be frowned upon by Palace fans with the Eagles a point away from the top half, with 10th place occupied by their bitter rivals Brighton.

In other news: “Unbelievable” £30k-p/w beast is already solving Vieira's big CPFC conundrum