Journalist Tom Barclay has revealed that Eberechi Eze is months ahead of schedule and could return from injury by next month.
The 23-year-old suffered an Achilles injury in training just before the end of last season and has been sidelined ever since.
What happened to Eze?
Eze enjoyed a productive first season at Premier League level following his move from Queens Park Rangers last summer, scoring four times and adding six assists in 34 appearances.
Such was Eze's form, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge told GIVEMESPORT that the youngster was in the conversation to be named in Gareth Southgate's standby list for the European Championships.
However, his chances of making his senior debut for England and appearing at a major tournament was scuppered by a freak Achilles injury he suffered in training.
Ex-Palace manager Roy Hodgson initially described the injury as a "freak" incident – and expected the attacker to spend at least six months on the sidelines, which would keep him out until December/January time.
But Barclay believes that Eze is ahead of schedule and failed to rule out the possibility of him making a sensational return to action in November.
What did Barclay say?
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When asked for an update on Eze's condition, he provided a potentially huge boost for Patrick Vieira and Palace following their difficult start to the Premier League season.
He told GIVEMESPORT: "It's not 100 percent out of the question that he could play next month, but that would be quick. It would be very quick, especially for an injury where they expected him to return next year."
Is Eze likely to come straight back into the team?
When fit and firing, there's no doubt that Eze is still one of Crystal Palace's best players. However, there's a completely different look about Palace since he last took to the field, with Conor Gallagher and Michael Olise both added to the squad over the summer.
But those are best through the middle, which should allow Eze to come back and regain his position out wide, with Wilfried Zaha on the other, supporting Odsonne Edouard up front.
There's no guarantee that Vieira will see things that way, though, and with Palace gradually improving, he'll need to prove himself before that starting berth is his once again.