Chris Richards’ penultimate Premier League appearance this season saw the American defender limp off the field at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Richards was seen in visible pain at the final whistle of Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw with Brentford on Sunday. The U.S. men’s national team defender came off the bench and played the final 29 minutes for Oliver Glasner’s squad.
However, even Richards’ entrance into the match did not lead to three points for the Eagles, who conceded an 88th minute equalizer for Dango Ouattara.
Richards, who needed help getting down the tunnel postmatch, was diagnosed with an ankle injury after suffering a twist in the final minutes of the match. Glasner did not yet give a timeframe for his return to action after Richards twisted his ankle in the second half.
Chris I think twisted his ankle,” said Glasner postmatch. “I think Thiago landed on his ankle and then it twisted, it’s quite swollen so we have to assess it further.
“But hopefully he can return in the midweek,” he added.
The Alabama native has been sensational for the Eagles again this season, logging his 49th appearance in all competitions. Richards is also a key figure in Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT squad, especially heading into the FIFA World Cup this summer.
Pochettino is scheduled to reveal his World Cup roster on May 26, two days after Crystal Palace concludes its Premier League schedule against league-leading Arsenal.
The Eagles will also be involved in a first-ever European Final, taking on Spanish club Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League on May 27.
Should Richards miss the remainder of the season and the World Cup, it will be a major blow for the 26-year-old on both fronts.