Huddersfield sign Puncheon on loan from Palace

LONDON: Huddersfield have signed midfielder Jason Puncheon (pic) on loan from Crystal Palace for the rest of the season, the English Premier League clubs said.

Puncheon has struggled for game time at Palace this season, making five substitute appearances in the league and starting three English League Cup games but Huddersfield manager David Wagner backed the versatile 32-year-old to hit the ground running.

“It’s important our additions in January have the ability to arrive and make an immediate impact in our team, which I’m sure Jason can,” Wagner said.

“He’s played in this division for nearly a decade now and knows what it takes to be successful ... as well as being a very good player, he’s a great character.”

Huddersfield are bottom of the standings with 10 points from 21 matches and Wagner believes the former Southampton, Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers player will add much-needed experience in their quest to remain in the top division.

“He’s been the captain of Palace and is a real leader in the dressing room, which is something we wanted to add too,” the German manager added.

“He’s now totally fit after the knee injury that he suffered last season and he’s been very keen to come here and show that he is still capable of performing at the top level, which is great news for us.”