Show caption Mamadou Sakho receives treatment on his right knee against Leicester and he is now likely to need an operation. Photograph: Plumb Images/Leicester City via Getty Images Crystal Palace Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho set to miss rest of season with knee injury • Sakho injured himself in win against Leicester

• Centre-back likely to have an operation Dominic Fifield Tue 26 Feb 2019 20.52 GMT Share on Facebook

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Crystal Palace expect to be without Mamadou Sakho for the rest of the season after he suffered a serious knee injury during Saturday’s victory at Leicester.

Tests have been conducted on the France defender to determine the extent of the damage and he is resigned to undergoing an operation. The centre-half’s right leg gave way as he passed the ball 15 minutes from time under slight pressure from Jamie Vardy and, while the 29-year-old was able to walk off gingerly, he was in clear discomfort as he was assisted to the dressing room by two members of the medical staff .

Sakho arrived on crutches at an event at Paris fashion week on Tuesday to promote his wife’s clothing range but is now due to have an operation, with his rehabilitation expected to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Roy Hodgson was waiting on results of the medical tests when he conducted pre-match media duties on Tuesday for Wednesday’s home game against Manchester United, but Palace are resigned to the worst.

Sakho had been suffering from a knee problem, complaining of pain after the recent draw with West Ham. That had ruled him out of the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Doncaster but he returned and impressed in the 4-1 win at Leicester, playing a key role in the second goal.

Sakho has enjoyed a resurgent season, impressing for Palace to the extent he regained his place in France’s squad after missing the cut for last summer’s World Cup in Russia. He earned a 29th cap in the friendly victory over Uruguay in November and has maintained club form in a fine central defensive partnership with James Tomkins. Only six clubs have conceded fewer than Palace’s 35 goals this season.