PARDS HAS DODGY PIE FOR YALA

ALAN PARDEW said he hopes Yannick Bolasie gets food poisoning so he cannot terrorise West Brom today.

Baggies boss Pardew helped put Bolasie on the road to stardom at Crystal Palace.

He helped turn Bolasie into a consistent performer with the goals and final ball to match his tricks and skills.

But Bolasie’s dream £20million move to Everton in August 2016 turned into a nightmare after he required two knee operations.

The 28-year-old started his first game in a year in the goalless draw at West Brom on Boxing Day and is now a regular in the Toffees’ team.

Pardew (above, with Bolasie) said: “I love Yala, he is one of the great characters of the game. I am so pleased he has recovered from a terrible injury.

“He sent me through some inspirational quotes this week, which Yala does from time to time.

“He is trying to inspire me with his God-given messages.

“I text him back and said I hope he eats something that doesn’t agree with him.

“If we have some left-over pies I will go and see the chef but pies are not really his diet though, I have to say.”

Pardew, who worked with Bolasie one-on-one to improve his finishing, said: “He had an abundance of natural talent and it was just about enhancing it.

“He learned some decent stuff at Palace, how to get the balance between defending and attacking.

Pardew, who bossed Palace from January 2015 to December 2016, has remained close with Bolasie since.

Pardew added: “I kept in touch with him during his injury. It can be a lonely place.”