Promising Crystal Palace midfielder Luke Dreher is set to miss the whole season after suffering a serious knee injury during a friendly against MK Dons, The Athletic has been told.



The 20-year-old was considered part of the first-team squad at the club, having made his senior debut late on in the 5-3 win over Bournemouth on the final day of last season.



Dreher will have a scan when the swelling eases, but is expected to miss around nine months after landing awkwardly and damaging an anterior cruciate ligament in the 3-1 behind-closed-doors defeat against a strong Dons side last week.



It is a huge blow for the youngster (pictured above in the pre-season friendly against Hertha Berlin), who is highly rated by many at the club but has suffered a string of injuries over the past two years.



Academy director Gary Issott told The Athletic: “It is really disappointing for the player and the club. Luke did really well in pre-season and then disaster...