SEAN Scannell has suffered another injury setback and is set to miss Saturday’s game with Swansea.

Scannell has yet to play a first team game this campaign after picking up a knee injury in pre-season but did play for the reserves against West Ham this week.

He was joined in that game by a fellow long-term absentee Darren Ambrose, who came on for the final half hour.

Ambrose is now firmly in the running to stake a claim against the Swans this weekend but manager George Burley confirmed to News Shopper the news was not quite so promising in Scannell’s case.

He said: “Darren came through fine. He trained this morning, so we will see how he progresses as far as making the squad for Saturday.

“Sean suffered a knock in the West Ham game.

“It’s not a bad knock but he won’t be available for Saturday.”

The 6-1 demolition of the Hammers wasn’t just a game for those coming back from injury, though, as it gave players who have been on the fringes of a starting place this season a chance to impress Burley and get back some sharpness.

And one of the chief benefactors was Pablo Counago, who bagged a goal as he slowly regains his sharpness and settles into life at Selhurst Park.

Burley said: “It was a bench game just to get people fit and get them playing.

“Pablo’s getting fitter and he’s getting sharper, he’s getting games under his belt so that’s good.

“He didn’t really play much for Ipswich in the last year and it will take time but he’s getting there now.”

Meanwhile, Burley is still fuming with the display of the referee in Saturday’s 4-3 defeat at Preston.

The Eagles boss praised his side’s character, despite a combination of defensive errors and poor refereeing decisions costing his side dearly at Deepdale.

Saturday’s seven-goal thriller showcased the best and worst of Palace’s season so far.

The Eagles found themselves 4-1 down early in the second-half after some poor defending and a slice of bad luck.

Burley admitted: “No doubt one or two defensive mistakes have cost us and we had two goals that came from refereeing decisions on Saturday.

“He allowed them to take the free-kick 15 yards away from where it should have been taken and I thought the penalty was very harsh to say the least, so that went against us.”

But even at 4-1 down Burley’s side continued to play attacking football and it so nearly paid off after spectacular comeback was nearly completed.

And the Scotsman sees this as a sign of the spirit that remains in the squad despite a faltering start to the campaign.

He said: “It was a poor result but the way we battled back and almost got a point at the end was very good.

“Unfortunately we didn’t quite make it.

“They showed their character to get back from 4-1 down to 4-3 and at the end Wilf and Dorman could have scored equalisers, so the spirit is very much still there.

“It’ll come together.”