Striker Calvin Andrew is devastated after a freak accident robbed him of the chance to fight for a first-team place at Crystal Palace next season.

The 22-year-old made only one start for the Eagles in the last campaign before being loaned out to Brighton in January, where he snapped his cruciate ligament in the final game of the season after colliding with a post.

With James Scowcroft and Paul Ifill departing Selhurst Park this summer and Shefki Kuqi's future still unresolved, Andrew was set to play a pivotal role in the Eagles attack next season, but will now not return to action until at least November.

"Devastated isn't the word and I am still trying to get my head around it," said the former Luton Town man who is due to have surgery tomorrow.

"Whether there are going to be players there or not I know I stood a good chance next season.

"Last year it was all a little bit new for me being at quite a big club but I was ready and raring to go for next season and I fancied myself really.

"I know I have got the attributes to get in the team but unfortunately I now won't be able to take part in the start of the season."

Andrew was plagued with injuries last year, particularly to his knee, but is hopeful that tomorrow's operation will clear up a lot of his problems.

"I think the only good thing coming out of this situation at the minute is that it should clear up my long list of injuries from this season," he said.

"All the injuries I had were related to my cruciate ligament so hopefully now it can be sorted and I can draw a line under that and be injury free for quite a long time.

"It's what halted my progression at Palace, I started off well then got injured then came back then got injured again.

"I will know more after the operation but I think I am quite a quick healer so we will see."

Despite missing six weeks of his three-month loan on the south coast through injury, Andrew was pleased with his record there, scoring three times in 10 appearances and believes he had forced his way into manager Neil Warnock's thoughts.

"I think I got the attention of the people at Crystal Palace and the staff," he said.

"I was down there scoring goals and playing quite well and that was all I really wanted to go out and do.

"Foremost was for myself to get the attention from up here and even from some of the supporters who have been saying they were looking forward to me being in a Palace kit next year."

Meanwhile the Eagles have announced their first home pre-season game will be against Norwich City on July 28.