Pierre Sage gives cryptic reply as £38.5m player dropped from Crystal Palace squad completely

Disasi dropped from Palace's Europa League squad for Thursday's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim; manager Sage cited an internal decision, with reports suggesting the Chelsea loanee was late for a team meeting.

Axel Disasi was omitted from Crystal Palace's matchday squad for their 1-1 Europa League draw against Hoffenheim on Thursday night, a surprise given he had featured in all three previous European fixtures this season. Manager Pierre Sage declined to elaborate publicly, saying only that it was "an internal decision" taken that afternoon. However, talkSPORT understands the 28-year-old centre-back was dropped after arriving late to a team meeting.

Sage confirmed Disasi remains available for selection and will be in contention when Palace host Liverpool on Sunday. The Frenchman, on loan from Chelsea, has made nine appearances for Palace this season but missed three Premier League games following a red card suspension.

Palace drew 1-1 with Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park, falling behind to Alexander Prass's early goal before Adam Wharton's red card on 77 minutes left them a man down. Daichi Kamada equalised in stoppage time. Palace sit in the Europa League play-off spots with five points from four games.