Oliver Glasner said a ‘contractual issue’ stopped Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah from playing for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup third-round win over Stockport on Sunday.
Chalobah was pictured at Selhurst Park on social media and Glasner admitted in his pre-match press conference that the former Ipswich loanee would start against the League One side.
The 25-year-old has been subject to speculation around his Selhurst Park future in the past week, with the Blues having the option to recall him from his season-long loan spell.
It was reported that Chelsea are considering recalling Chalobah due to their injury problems at the back.
Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game in the fourth minute as Palace progressed to the fourth round.
“It’s not easy to explain,” Glasner said.
“It was a contractual issue – we had to take care. This is why he didn’t play. I’m not a lawyer, but I was told that in this round, it was better for him not to play.
“I found out yesterday evening. It was internal [there was no contact from Chelsea].”
When asked if he expected Chalobah to be a Crystal Palace player at the end of the window, Glanser said: “I know he wants to stay and we want [him to stay at the club], but there is still 19 days to go in the transfer window.
“I want this squad to stay together.
“I know Trevoh [Chalobah] and Marc [Guehi] want to stay – these are the main [talking points] in the last days.
“Trevoh is expected to be available at Leicester on Wednesday.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD