- Dean Henderson wore the No 30 shirt last season but impressed Oliver Glasner
- He went undefeated in his final seven games of the season, with six victories
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Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has been stripped of his No 1 jersey ahead of the Premier League kick-off.
Dean Henderson, who wore the No 30 last season, is set to be handed the coveted shirt in a clear indication that he will start the season as the team’s first choice keeper.
Johnstone, who spent the majority of last season as the Eagles’ preferred goalkeeper, was informed of the news on Monday.
The goalkeeper is fit again after missing the final two months of last season after suffering an elbow injury whilst on international duty that required surgery.
The injury not only saw him vacate his role as Palace’s No 1 but saw him ruled him out of England’s Euro 2024 squad, in which Gareth Southgate was due to select Johnstone as his second choice behind Jordan Pickford.
Sam Johnstone has been stripped of his No 1 shirt at Crystal Palace, Mail Sport can confirm
Dean Henderson had been No 30 but is now set to be handed the coveted goalkeeper spot
Oliver Glasner has been impressed with Henderson, especially the way he closed the season
Henderson impressed Oliver Glasner during Palace’s excellent end to the season, during which the team were undefeated in their final seven matches, six of which finished with victories.
With that in mind there has been doubt over who will start the season as Glasner’s first choice keeper ahead of Sunday’s opener versus Brentford.
But the fact Johnstone has been informed he has lost his shirt number suggests Henderson will get the nod.
Having held talks with Palace officials over the past fortnight, Johnstone, who joined Palace on free transfer, will be made available for transfer – at his own request – during the current window.
The former West Bromwich Albion man is determined to remain in the international fold and knows he needs to be playing regular first-team football to impress interim England head coach Lee Carsley.
Palace value Johnstone, 31, at £10million but it remains to be seen whether the club are ready to accept a lower fee to facilitate the keeper’s exit.
There is an appreciation at Selhurst Park that Johnstone has been a good professional since his arrival in 2022 and there is a willingness to help him secure a move away.
Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Wolves, Leicester and Bournemouth are among the clubs to have shown an early interest in Johnstone.
Johnstone and Henderson have also been team-mates for England as well as at Palace
Johnstone is valued at around £10million and is currently focused on the season ahead
The experienced keeper is focused on the season ahead with Palace as things stand, but it is clear now his future lies elsewhere.
Henderson joined Palace from Manchester United in a deal worth £20m in the summer of 2023.
Despite the substantial financial outlay, Johnstone retained his place Palace No 1 before injury cruelly curtailed his season last term.
