Oliver Glasner, the head coach of Crystal Palace, revealed that Moroccan defender Shadi Riyad is close to returning to group training after a long absence due to an injury that has kept him off the pitch since the beginning of this year.

Glasner stated in a press conference held before the match against Cypriot AEK Larnaca in the European competitions: "Shadi Riyad will return to training in the next two weeks, and we are excited to see him back with the team after this difficult period he has been through."

The Austrian coach clarified that the Moroccan player has shown significant improvement physically, indicating that his recovery is progressing according to the rehabilitation program set for him.
He added, saying: "Shadi has worked hard during his absence and has shown great commitment, which has helped him speed up the recovery process."

Glasner also praised the efforts of the medical staff and the fitness team at the club, confirming that organized work has contributed to maintaining the stability of the squad despite minor injuries.
He said: "We have done a great job to keep the players fit. Thanks to the professionalism of the medical team, we managed to avoid new injuries, and what happened with Shadi Riyad and Cheick Doucouré was just an exception."

It is noteworthy that Shadi Riyad has not appeared in a Crystal Palace shirt since January, which has left a gap in the team's defense, especially given the pressure of matches in the Premier League. His anticipated return is a significant boost for coach Glasner, who relies on the experience of the young Moroccan player to restore balance to the defensive system.