HODGSON HAILS RETURN OF ZAHA X FACTOR
ROY HODGSON reckons Wilfried Zaha has the X Factor, but urged Crystal Palace fans not to judge him too quickly on his return from injury. The Ivory Coast winger has been out since the first game of the season with a knee problem. He is set to return against Chelsea today for his former England boss who is seeking to avoid starting his Eagles career with four consecutive Premier League defeats – the same record which cost Frank De Boer his job. With Christian Benteke still out, the return of Zaha gives a much-needed lift to a team bottom of the table and yet to score a league goal this season. “He has the X Factor,” Hodgson said. “He can dribble and beat people, which not every player in the league is capable of doing. “Most of all he has a special place in the hearts and minds of the Crystal Palace supporters. I think they will feel more comfortable now he is back believing he is the type of person who, with his ability, can change a game and turn a defeat into a draw or a draw into a victory.
“There is a big psychological factor with him coming back and being able to play again.”
But the Eagles boss added: “I would rather urge people to give him the benefit of the doubt in the first game or two he plays back.
“He’s been out for six weeks and has done ever so well to be back in this time. So to expect him to be in the form he was in before the injury is a tough ask. But who knows?”
Hodgson gave Zaha his two England caps, against Sweden in November 2012 and Scotland in August 2013 – both friendlies.
“He was in good form for Crystal Palace at the time but of course after that he moved to Manchester United almost immediately and then he didn’t play for a year and a half,” he said.
Zaha declared for the country of his birth last November after his former England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate got the top job.
Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey faces a late fitness test after picking up a calf injury on Wales duty. Julian Speroni is on standby.