Round-up: Ian Holloway backs Wilfried Zaha to shine

 

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has tipped Wilfried Zaha to make the most of his shock call-up to the England squad.


England chief Roy Hodgson has added 20-year-old Zaha to his squad to face Sweden in a friendly in Stockholm on Wednesday after Wayne Rooney was ruled out through injury.

Holloway, who only took over at Selhurst Park last week, told Sky Sports News: "He's an untouched, pure talent and everyone knows the more serious you get the harder it is to want take people on.

"But he's so unique, I've never worked with anyone like him, he just wants to get the ball and beat people, however many there are, he can do it."

Leroy Lita has returned to Swansea after his loan spell with Birmingham was cut short by injury.

The striker, 27, has missed Blues' last two Championship matches after sustaining a thigh injury in the 1-0 home defeat to Ipswich nine days ago.

Lita's three-month loan spell at the midlands club was due to expire in mid-December but both clubs have now agreed he should return to south Wales for treatment.

Leeds are waiting for midfielder Rudy Austin's second scan results to learn the full extent of his injury after he suffered a suspected broken leg in the weekend defeat to Watford.

Manager Neil Warnock said after Saturday's 6-1 loss at Elland Road the Jamaica midfielder had broken his leg in two places and feared his season was over.

"We were all shocked by what happened and our thoughts were with Rudy. Other things pale into insignificance when you see things like that," Warnock told the club's official website on Monday.

Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson has hailed Harry Maguire as one of the country's brightest prospects after the teenager's call-up to the England Under-21 squad.

Maguire, 19, has been included in Stuart Pearce's squad for the first time ahead of tomorrow's friendly with Northern Ireland at Bloomfield Road.

"Harry is one of the best young defenders around and he showed that again at the weekend," Wilson told United's official website.

"He has got a fantastic maturity for his age, he takes everything in his stride and nothing fazes him."

Sheffield-born Maguire, a product of the Blades' academy, made his first-team breakthrough last year after making his full debut as a 17-year-old against Preston at the end of the 2010/11 campaign. He has started in every league game for Wilson's side this season.

Arsenal youngster Chuks Aneke has extended his loan spell with Crewe by a further month.

It is the second time the 19-year-old midfielder has prolonged his stay with the Railwaymen and he will now remain at Gresty Road until December 17.

Aneke has made 12 appearances for Steve Davis' side, scoring against Hartlepool and Walsall in League One and Wycombe in the FA Cup.

Chesterfield manager Paul Cook has put striker Craig Westcarr and defender Neal Trotman on the transfer list.

Cook, who succeeded John Sheridan at the Proact Stadium towards the end of last month, has had almost three weeks to assess the squad he inherited and feels the future of both players lies elsewhere.

"The likelihood is that they'll both leave in the near future but, while they're here, we'll pay them the utmost respect," Cook said. "We can't just bring players in and put pressure on the club's wage bill, players must leave the club."

On-loan winger Micah Evans has also been allowed to return to his parent club Blackburn ahead of schedule.

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