Benteke an injury doubt for Palace's Bournemouth clash

Christian Benteke is a doubt for Crystal Palace's Premier League trip to Bournemouth after suffering a groin injury in training on Thursday.

The Belgium striker had retained his place in the side despite a significant lack of goals this season, with manager Roy Hodgson's attacking options severely limited due to injuries.

In last week's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool Benteke wasted two fine chances while the score remained 1-1, but when Alexander Sorloth and Connor Wickham have already been ruled out, Palace could struggle without him and are relying on a positive outcome to a late fitness test.

Hodgson was without 12 senior injured players earlier this season but the recent returns of Wilfried Zaha, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Yohan Cabaye and Mamadou Sakho had significantly strengthened his hand.

Hodgson, who was forced to select Zaha and Andros Townsend as an unorthodox front two when Benteke was injured in September, said on Thursday: "Benteke limped off the training field feeling his groin. We won't know how well he is until the night passes and he comes in and is assessed again (on Friday).