Wilfried Zaha recovery 'ahead of schedule,' confirms Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson

Hodgson is now expected to have his star man back in the team for a crucial run-in that sees the Eagles face five relegation rivals in their final six games of the season

Palace have lost every game this season where the Ivorian winger hasn’t played (Getty)

Wilfried Zaha’s recovery is “ahead of schedule” says Roy Hodgson, but the Crystal Palace winger will still be on the sidelines when his side look to rediscover their form against Manchester United on Monday night.

Palace have lost every game this season where the Ivorian winger hasn’t played, a run that continued when Harry Kane headed home a late winner at Selhurst Park last weekend to break Palace’s 88-minute resistance.

But he is recovering faster than expected and Hodgson is now expected to have his star man back in the team for a crucial run-in that sees the Eagles face five relegation rivals in their final six games.

“Wilfried is recovering ahead of schedule, but he’s still mainly doing straight running,” said Hodgson.

“He’s not doing the more complicated twisting, turning and contact with other players yet.”

Two players who are likely to return to the matchday squad against United, however, are defenders Martin Kelly and Jeffrey Schlupp.

“I said last time that Jeffrey Schlupp and Martin Kelly were close to returning to full training, I think they had done one session with us before the Spurs game but they have trained all week and I am counting on those two being fit but they are the only two back, “ revealed Hodgson.