Cheick Doucoure is undergoing regular rehabilitation work at Crystal Palace’s training ground as he steps up his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Standard Sport understands that the 24-year-old midfielder has been doing rehab and fitness work at the Eagles’ Copers Cope Road base for more than three weeks now.

It is understood that Doucoure could return to action as early as May, and he is following a bespoke fitness programme consulted on by both the player and Palace.

The Mali international snapped his Achilles in November’s 2-1 defeat by Luton at Kenilworth Road and immediately underwent surgery. It was his first major injury since joining Palace from French club Lens for a £21million fee back in July 2022.

In Doucoure’s absence, centre-back Chris Richards played eight Premier League matches in an unfamiliar defensive midfield position under previous manager Roy Hodgson.

The £22m January signing of Adam Wharton from Blackburn, meanwhile, was largely prompted by a belief among Palace’s recruitment team that midfield back-up was needed while Doucoure is out.

Last week, Doucoure signed a fresh contract extension at Selhurst Park, committing his future to the club until June 2029. He had attracted strong transfer interest from Liverpool last summer, before the Reds were eventually put off by Palace’s £70m valuation of the player.

Doucoure was named Palace’s player of the season last term, in his first campaign in English football.