November 13 2003

Aki Riihilahti

Aki Riihilahti faces two weeks on the sidelines after undergoing an operation on a troublesome shin injury.

Riihilahti didn't feature in the squad which drew 1-1 with Preston last weekend, and the Finn has pulled out of two up-coming international fixtures to recover from the surgery.

The 27-year-old was due to represent Finland against Honduras and Costa Rica but has been ordered to rest.

He said: "It's good the Crystal Palace medical staff found the problem so quickly. The operation went well."