Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure could miss the rest of the season with midfielder set to miss up to SIX months after suffering a serious Achilles injury in Luton defeat

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure faces a fight to play again this season after suffering a serious Achilles injury in the loss to Luton.

In what is a huge blow to Roy Hodgson’s men, their key midfielder will miss up to six months, Mail Sport has learned.

The Mali international was stretchered off early in the second half at Kenilworth Road amid concerns he’d suffered a serious injury.

And Palace’s worse fears have been realised, with Doucoure to spend months on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old will also miss the Africa Cup of Nations.

Doucoure has built a promising reputation as one of the Premier League’s best emerging central midfielders since his arrival from Lens last season.

He was the subject of an enquiry from Liverpool in the summer, but his £70million asking price was a stumbling block towards a potential move to Anfield.

But he now faces a long road back to recovery.