Crystal Palace assistant boss Osian Roberts admits manager Patrick Vieira had to leave training today.

Palace go to Manchester United on Sunday.

Roberts was asked abou Vieira's absence: "Patrick was in as normal this morning for training. Unfortunately, he received a phone call and had to leave immediately to attend to an urgent family matter."

On whether Vieira will be back for the game against Manchester United, he added: "I hope so. We obviously just finished training, just come off the pitch so I haven't spoken to him since training but I would expect normal service would resume tomorrow.

"It makes a big difference when Patrick is not here. He's our leader, the manager, and you always want him at the helm leading matters.

"We have a responsibility in this unfortunate circumstance we do everything correctly.

"I'm here just trying to make sure collectively as staff – we have great staff here - that we've rallied round to make sure the transition has been seamless.

"The players as usual have been professional in the way they've applied themselves and we had a good session this morning."