Palace defender Pape Souare could play again this season

Crystal Palace defender Pape Souare, who was cut free from the wreckage of his car and taken to hospital by air ambulance after a motorway crash on Sunday, could play again this season, says his manager Alan Pardew.

The 26-year-old Senegal international suffered a broken thigh and sustained jaw injuries in the accident. He is expected to be released from hospital tomorrow.

Asked how long the player would be out for, Pardew replied: "Four, five months. Maybe six, he should be up and running again.

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"I don't think we have any concerns about Pape returning. It was a broken thigh that should repair as normal. It was a terrible accident. We owe a huge debt to the London Air Ambulance and the surgeons who helped him."

Souare will miss the African Cup of Nations in January, but Pardew says there is no significant long-term damage despite his broken thighbone. He added that the Senegalese defender could be back on the pitch before the end of the season, reports the Daily Mail.

"Despite not knowing the extent of the damage to some of Souare's muscles, the Palace boss believes the defender was 'very lucky' to escape more serious injuries," the paper adds.

Pardew also shed some light on the circumstances surrounding the crash on Sunday in which Souare's SUV-type vehicle hit the central reservation of the M4. "I'm not too clear on the details, it was such a quick incident", said Pardew. "The car pulled in front of him and he had very little time to react and therefore the accident occurred.

"He's having some bad news with his father, who is very sick so maybe that was on his mind. It's just a warning to everybody."