Glasner eyes Europa League future for Palace after Conference League final farewell

Oliver Glasner has called on Crystal Palace to win the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on Wednesday and use the victory as a springboard to compete in the Europa League next season — his parting gift to the club as he prepares to leave after the match.

Glasner, who would claim a third trophy with the Eagles if Palace prevail, framed a potential win in terms of what the club was denied last summer following a UEFA ruling that blocked their European entry. “I said the best thing would of course be winning but not just for winning tomorrow, because then the players will be allowed to leave and we’ll get next year what we should have had this year,” the Austrian told reporters ahead of the final.

“I would like to watch on TV them starting in the Europa League with the desire and the confidence that we can win the Europa League. This would make me really happy because then I think we created a mindset, all together, where it’s always successful.”

On the injury front, both Adam Wharton and central defender Chris Richards remain doubts. The pair trained in London on Tuesday but Richards was unable to complete the session, with both players managing ankle problems. Glasner was clear that fitness would be the deciding factor in any selection call.

“I won’t tell you if they can start or not but they were available today in training,” he said. “The medical department will work late into the night and I will talk to them again tomorrow morning. If I have a bit of concern, they won’t start but it’s positive they could train without big issues. Of course, they have pain but many players have some pain after a long season.”

Glasner also confirmed he would not risk any player who is not fully fit, adding: “I won’t start any player that is not 100 per cent.”

Ahead of the final, goalkeeper Dean Henderson revealed that the Palace squad had put together an emotional video montage featuring personal messages for Glasner as a farewell tribute to their departing manager.