Speaking with Amazon Prime Video before Crystal Palace's clash with West Ham United, manager Roy Hodgson explained his three changes to the Eagles' starting XI, revealing his decisions were precautionary rather than forced.
Asked if he was influenced by injury or simply the congested festive schedule, Hodgson replied: "It's a bit of both. We are concerned about Gary, in particular with the three games where he came back and did so well after the hamstring injury he picked up in the post-lockdown period.