A year ago
Due to a groin injury, the Crystal Palace attacker has missed four games.
After suffering their first defeat under Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace needs a boost, and Wilfried Zaha's return to fitness will provide one, according to the Eagles manager.
The Palace star was pulled off with a groin problem during his team's triumph over Leicester on April 1, putting a damper on an otherwise joyous afternoon as the former England manager started a second stint in charge of his childhood team.
Zaha will be able to play against West Ham on Saturday at Selhurst Park, according to Hodgson. Palace will be looking to avenge their 2-0 defeat to Wolves on Tuesday.
Hodgson, whose team had won three straight games before drawing with Everton, said, "It is a huge boost, without a doubt."
"We are thrilled to see him back on the practice field, back performing the workouts and exercises that we've been doing because for the past couple of weeks, he has primarily been seen running around trying to get fit enough to participate in a Premier League game.
When you're going into such matches, it makes sense to avoid losing your best players, but I'm confident he will increase everyone's performance. By being back with us and able to play, I'm confident he will strengthen our team.
When asked about Zaha's future, Hodgson was less open. The Ivory Coast international is rumored to have been given a contract that would set a club record in order to stay in south London after his current deal expires at the end of the season.
"Obviously, that's not my business; that's club business," he replied.
"As a Crystal Palace supporter, I would say it's crucial to try and keep him, and I'll be more than happy if he decides to stay, but it's certainly outside of my remit so I'm sure if you really wanted to know the situation between him and the club, you would have to speak either to him or to [chairman] Steve Parish or [sporting director] Dougie Freedman."
A healthy Joachim Andersen, who was forced to leave the Wolves game, will also be helpful to Palace.
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