Christian Benteke is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering ligament damage in Crystal Palace’s 5-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

The Eagles striker was substituted in the second-half with a suspected knee injury.

Benteke finished last season as Palace’s top scorer with 17 goals, and was instrumental in preserving their Premier League status.

His inevitable absence will come as a massive blow for the Eagles, who have lost their opening six league games.

“We think it's a form of ligament damage,” Eagles boss Roy Hodgson said. “I don't know quite how bad that ligament damage is.

“He's going to have a scan but it will mean he won't be playing in the next game, I'm pretty sure of that.”

Up next for Palace are the division's other high-fliers Manchester United and Chelsea.

“We've got to accept that we've been given a headache and during the course of the week we've got to try and find the aspirins that will ease the headache, and keep working on what we're trying to,” Hodgson added.

“Unfortunately there's a risk Manchester United and Chelsea will also be as capable as Manchester City of punishing us if we don't get things right.”