Crystal Palace have suffered a significant blow in their battle to avoid relegation, with striker Christian Benteke ruled out for at least six weeks with a knee injury.

The Belgium international underwent a scan on Monday after suffering the ligament damage in Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Manchester City. There are fears that he could be out for longer than six weeks but that is the time frame being put on the injury at present following the scan.

Benteke’s absence will hurt Palace, who are already without Connor Wickham, who has not played for almost a year due to injury, and let Fraizer Campbell and Loic Remy leave the club in the summer.

Palace did try to sign Oumar Niasse from Everton, but a deal for the 27-year-old Senegal striker fell through. Niasse came off the bench to score the two goals to beat Bournemouth last Saturday for Everton.

It means Palace may have to look at any free agents who are available to try and bolster their squad. Palace can sign a free agent outside the transfer window and have left one space in their 25‑man Premier League squad to allow them to register any potential new arrival.