Sage on Sarr's return, Henderson's new deal and Canvot's squad exclusion

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League opener against Polish side Lech Poznan at Selhurst Park (20:00 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference: Pierre Sage confirmed both Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah have trained with the team this week, are "in shape" and "could be in the team" tomorrow night. Sarr - who was linked with a move away over the summer - is yet to feature under Sage after struggling with a groin problem, while Nketiah has missed the Eagles' past two games through injury. On Jean-Philippe Mateta and Dean Henderson, who have both been absent recently with respective injuries: "I hope it will be after the international break. With long injuries, there's more or less days. That's why we hope and we will see." More on last season's top scorer Sarr and his return to fitness: "I think the situation is behind him now. He looks normal and we will see on the pitch during the competitive games. I think his idea is to make a big season for us." Sage was asked about defender Jaydee Canvot's reaction to being left out of the squad for last weekend's defeat by Ipswich : "During this week it was really clear that the message is clear." On reports the board were unhappy with the decision to leave Canvot out for tactical reasons and the way Sage dealt with the situation: "It's a story, it's non official. If you want to have the right word about that ask Steve Parish. I spoke with him a few days ago about that and there is no problem. I have always a position to explain my decisions, positive and negative. Sometimes they react but they are in line with this position." Although goalkeeper Henderson will remain sidelined for Thursday's game, he signed a new Palace deal until 2030 on Wednesday, with Sage saying on the news: "We are really happy for us, we are really happy for him – it's a long-term contract for our captain. For the moment he is injured, but he showed us during his first games that he's really important for the team and we hope he'll come back quickly, because he's really important in the dressing room too. That's why it's good news." More on his captain's importance to the squad: "As a player, he's a really good goalkeeper, and as a man he has good leadership, he's positive, and he's always with his teammates. That's why it's really important to have him. But we have to consider him with the other goalkeepers, because they do a good job altogether. If his level is high, it's because his teammates' is too." On Thursday's opponents: "We watched seven of Lech's matches this season. We know they started quite early and had to pick themselves up after the defeat in the Champions League qualifiers. It's never easy. I see a team that's developing from match to match. We need to stay very focused so as not to get caught off guard." Got a question about Palace? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts [BBC]