Alan Pardew hopes Wilfried Zaha earns England Under-21 selection

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes that winger Wilfried Zaha deserves a place in the England squad for this summer's European Under-21 Championships.

The winger has been a key player in the Eagles' strong second half of the season, and he netted a crucial goal as Palace beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield last weekend.

Pardew told reporters: "I spoke to Gareth [Southgate] about it and I said 'I know he's not in your group at the moment because you have a settled group but if you get an injury or a wildcard you should consider him because he is playing in terrific form'.

"His attitude has been spot on. His personality has changed a little because to go to a big club as a young man and not get much of a chance he got a little bit down and a little bit negative about his game.

"We have managed to get that out of him. You see today he is smiling and bubbly and that is when Zaha is at his best."

Zaha rejoined Palace from Manchester United last summer.