Roy ready to hold fire with Wickham

CRYSTAL PALACE boss Roy Hodgson will resist the temptation to hand Connor Wickham his first start since November 2016 against Grimsby today.

But he could start Jordan Ayew after the on-loan Swansea man’s stunning goal in the 2-0 win at Wolves.

Wickham (left) has come off the bench in the last three games after a lengthy spell out with a series of injuries. But Hodgson said: “Connor hasn’t played a game from the start for over two years.

“There have been so many breakdowns and false dawns.

“Our experience shows he is impatient and he believes he is fit quicker than he is.

“It is a question now of being patient with him, and him being patient with himself. You may feel you are right but you can’t write off the injuries that have laid you low.”

Ayew’s return to full confidence could be as gradual as Wickham’s path back to fitness, according to Hodgson.

His goal at Molineux was his first for Palace on his 15th appearance and Hodgson hinted that Ayew had felt the pressure from impatient fans. “Players read a lot and follow social media,” Hodgson added.

“So anyone out there who thinks, ‘I will enjoy myself by criticising this person’, they read it and take it to heart.

“He is very serious about his football and we encourage him as much as possible.

“We try to shield him from outside criticism, and make it clear we are not disappointed with him.”