New Crystal Palace signing Max Meyer is unlikely to be fit for the start of the new season.

The German midfielder joined Palace last week but he is still in the early stages of his pre-season training and he is not set to play in their opener against Fulham on Saturday.

Meyer was a free agent after he left Schalke at the end of last season and he did not train with a club over the summer.

The 22-year-old took part his first training session with Palace last Friday but he was not involved in their pre-season friendly win over Toulouse last Saturday and he is still building up his fitness.

His progress is being monitored closely by Palace but it is thought the game against Fulham at Craven Cottage will come too soon for him.

Cheikhou Kouyate, another summer signing at Palace, is pushing to be fit for the start of the season following his £10million move from West Ham.

The midfielder admitted last week that he did not know if he would be ready to face Fulham after he had an extended summer break after captaining Senegal at the World Cup.

Kouyate played 17 minutes as a substitute appearance against Toulouse and hopes to be in the squad against Fulham at the weekend, though it seems unlikely he will start the game.

Vicente Guaita is set to start in goal at Craven Cottage. The Spanish goalkeeper joined Palace on a free transfer from Getafe in the summer and is set to start ahead of Wayne Hennessey.

It looks increasingly likely, meanwhile, that Wilfried Zaha will stay at Palace with just two days until Thursday’s 5pm transfer deadline.

Tottenham say they have ended their interest in the 25-year-old and Chelsea are yet to move for him.