Roy Hodgson admits that star forward Wilfried Zaha will need a couple more weeks to regain full match fitness and play a full part for Crystal Palace.
Zaha, who was the subject of frenzied transfer speculation before the deadline passed on Thursday, came on as a 65th minute substitute during the goalless draw with Everton on Saturday.
He's a phenomenal athlete when it comes to fitness, but to find the form he'll want to find he'll need a week or two.
Roy Hodgson
Afterwards, Hodgson admitted that his player was still short of proper match fitness, having taken a break following his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
He told reporters: "It was nice to have him available to give another dimension to our play. He did well, he set us up for an incredible chance that could have won it for us at the end.
"He's a bit rusty, there's no doubt about that. When a player comes back after three weeks away - having a holiday after the Africa Cup of Nations - he's going to need a little bit of time to find his true form.
"He's a phenomenal athlete when it comes to fitness, but to find the form he'll want to find he'll need a week or two, but it was good to give him the chance to come on."
The Eagles are back in action next Sunday when they head to Bramall Lane to take on newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Palace are 21/10 to secure another draw, with a 1-1 final scoreline priced at 11/2, while the Londoners are 3/1 to finish the season in the top half of the Premier League table.
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Roy Hodgson admits that star forward Wilfried Zaha will need a couple more weeks to regain full match fitness and play a full part for Crystal Palace.
Zaha, who was the subject of frenzied transfer speculation before the deadline passed on Thursday, came on as a 65th minute substitute during the goalless draw with Everton on Saturday.
He's a phenomenal athlete when it comes to fitness, but to find the form he'll want to find he'll need a week or two.
Roy Hodgson
Afterwards, Hodgson admitted that his player was still short of proper match fitness, having taken a break following his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
He told reporters: "It was nice to have him available to give another dimension to our play. He did well, he set us up for an incredible chance that could have won it for us at the end.
"He's a bit rusty, there's no doubt about that. When a player comes back after three weeks away - having a holiday after the Africa Cup of Nations - he's going to need a little bit of time to find his true form.
"He's a phenomenal athlete when it comes to fitness, but to find the form he'll want to find he'll need a week or two, but it was good to give him the chance to come on."
The Eagles are back in action next Sunday when they head to Bramall Lane to take on newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Palace are 21/10 to secure another draw, with a 1-1 final scoreline priced at 11/2, while the Londoners are 3/1 to finish the season in the top half of the Premier League table.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com