The midfielder is still suspended after a red card in the Eagles' penultimate match of last season against West Brom, so summer signing Owen Garvan could be handed a start in the centre.
Centre-half Adam Barrett and midfielder Andy Dorman are also pushing for debuts but a fourth new recruit, full-back David Wright, is a slight doubt with a hamstring injury.
Newly-appointed skipper Paddy McCarthy is expected to shake off an Achilles problem to partner Barrett at the back.
Young forward Wilfried Zaha has figured prominently in pre-season under new boss George Burley and could play a part, but winger Sean Scannell has been ruled out with a knee injury which requires surgery.
