Manchester United reunion for Wilfried Zaha as Crystal Palace forward is passed fit for Old Trafford clash

Palace have lost their last 12 games that the Ivorian has missed

Wilfried Zaha (Reuters)

Wilfried Zaha is fit again for Crystal Palace and will start against his former club, Manchester United.

The Ivorian forward endured a tough time at Old Trafford, being bought as a leaving gift by Sir Alex Ferguson only to find his talent wasted by the disastrous tenure of David Moyes.

Since returning to south London, Zaha has developed into one of the Premier League's most explosive and unpredictable attacking players, but his importance to his side has been magnified when he is unavailable.

Palace have lost their last 12 matches where Zaha hasn't featured and they are currently winless in seven Premier League games having only beaten Fulham and Huddersfield this season - both games where Zaha scored the decisive goal.

Zaha hasn't played since the defeat at Chelsea last month (REUTERS)

Roy Hodgson confirmed that his star man is back, as is central defender James Tomkins, but Christian Benteke remains sidelined.

"We still have the longer injuries in the squad," said Hodgson.

"Benteke is making good progress and he is working very hard. Scott Dann will be back with us on Monday. Zaha and Tomkins are both fit.

"We are playing against a very good team with top quality players. They are strengthened by some of the players who have been injured coming back.

"I believe we are competitive and I believe in the players ability. What I see from our matches and what I see in training, that gives me confidence."