Keep calm and carry on. Farke places trust in his likely lads

Ralf Fahrmann is in contention for a Premier League debut at Crystal Palace Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Ralf Fahrmann will make his Premier League debut at Crystal Palace on Saturday, if he suffers no adverse reaction to a return to team training following a recent groin problem.

But even if Northern Ireland international Michael McGovern had to step in Farke has full faith in his able deputies.

"The goalkeeper position is my smallest problem. Obviously I would prefer to have Tim and Ralf fully fit but Michael is a great lad, so professional," said Farke. "If you could paint a keeper to be waiting for his chance then it would be him.

"He is always analysing the opposition strikers, speaking to the other guys about certain habits those players might have and he always delivered in training. Let me tell you the other lads would be happy if he had to play."

Alex Tettey (groin) is also ruled out but Farke hinted on Friday Moritz Leitner could get the call instead of a re-deployment for the versatile Ibrahim Amadou.

"I was pleased with Moritz (at Burnley) because he was not prepared to play for that long and after the game he was very exhausted and also felt his calf a bit," said Farke.

"We have tried to hold his training load this week because of those extra minutes. He was crucial and after about 20 minutes he helped us with some more composure on the ball.

"Ibrahim is another option but in recent games we had offensive-orientated players in the holding positions. Kenny McLean has proved he can play the deep role and Moritz can play slightly deeper than he is used to. Of course they are not naturally born holding midfielders.

"You would say (Tom) Trybull, Tettey and Amadou, but he has not played in this crucial position for us.

"We were honest about how we spoke to the players and the areas we could have done better (at Burnley). It is not a case we are saying we have so many injuries we can simply make allowances."

Farke must get the better of the wily Roy Hodgson as he strives for a first point away from home in the Premier League.

The Crystal Palace boss started his coaching career the same year Farke was born, and the City chief admits he does not expect to be still at the coalface past his 70th birthday.

"If you ask me right now, never. I plan to be sitting in the garden with a piece of cake or perhaps a coffee, or I am allowed to have a glass of wine," he said.

"You never know, I might be tempted to go further on but to be able to deliver for such a long period is a mark of how good he has been.

"I like this a lot, at that age and still so greedy to work so hard and so disciplined.

If he wasn't doing that then there is no chance his team would be as organised as they are. You can only admire that.

"I am full of respect for his working career. He has so much experience and also I like his calm behaviour, a gentleman. It is the first time I will have met him and I am looking forward to that very much.

"All I can say is you can feel his hand writing on his team; they are well structured, well organised and it is tough to create chances against them."