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Roy Hodgson warns rivals Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is back to his brilliant best for run-in

REUTERS
REUTERS

Roy Hodgson has backed Wilfried Zaha to end the season in style after returning to the "very, very top of his game" in Tuesday's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea.

Crystal Palace talisman Zaha has not lived up to his own high standards for much of the season, but scored a fine goal from range and proved a menace down both wings against Frank Lampard's side.

It was an encouraging display from the Ivory Coast international, who has looked particularly off-colour since the Premier League restarted last month.

But Hodgson believes Zaha is now back to his best and expects the 27-year-old to maintain his best form as Palace, who are now officially safe from relegation, aim to finish as high up the Premier League as possible.

"He's had some good games during this period and some games where I'm sure that he'll have said he can do better," Hodgson said.

"The other night he was certainly at the very, very top of his game and I see no reason why he shouldn't keep that going in the last four games.

"I'm convinced we're going to see some very good things from him in these last 360-odd minutes. I'm pretty sure also he'll be looking to try and add to that tally og goals and assists so at the end of the season he's got a bit more to show for what he's done this season."

Palace head to relegation-threatened Aston Villa on Sunday knowing a top-half finish is still mathematically attainable, though they must halt a run of four straight defeats to preserve any realistic hope of troubling the top half.

Hodgson will be without Gary Cahill, who pulled up in the build-up to Chelsea's opener on Tuesday, but will again be able to call upon Martin Kelly after he recently returned to training following an injury lay-off.

Hodgson added: "Losing him [Cahill] is an enormous blow. It means we won't see him for the rest of the season and let's hope he recovers in time for next.

"Kelly is back in training and he'll come into the squad and replace him of course. As far as I know the players who played against Chelsea came through unscathed so I'm hoping we'll have the same squad available with Martin replacing Gary Cahill."

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