Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson: 'Wilfried Zaha is like Lionel Messi'

By Ali Akbar | 16 March 2018

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson compares Wilfried Zaha to Lionel Messi and believes that the forward can resurrect his side's battle to avoid relegation.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has compared forward Wilfried Zaha to five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi ahead of their Premier League clash with Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast international sustained a knee injury in February, but came off the bench during Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and is now set to return to the starting XI.

The Eagles have not won a single point this season without Zaha on the pitch, and are currently in danger of relegation as they sit 18th in the Premier League table with only eight matches of the campaign remaining.

"It's good to have him back, and we're hoping he'll start where he left off," Hodgson told reporters. "He got injured six weeks ago now and he was playing very well, we hope he's going to hit the ground running and do the same for us again.

"He has the exceptional ability to run with the ball and beat people. Those type of players are very important as we saw in the Chelsea-Barcelona game and Lionel Messi. If Messi hadn't played it could have been a totally different result.

"We don't get as many points when he's not playing, and don't score as many goals. Obviously we miss him in that respect, so it will be very good to get him back on the field."

Zaha will have a chance to start in the crucial away fixture against Huddersfield in the Premier League on Saturday, which could see them move out of the relegation zone should they leave with three points.