Former boss plays down striker return.
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Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway has played down talk of former forward Wilfred Zaha returning to the club in the near future, Sky Sports reports.
Reports have claimed that Manchester United, whom Zaha joined over the summer, are willing to allow the player out on loan in order to continue his development after failing to make an immediate impact on David Moyes’ first team.
Zaha actually agreed to join the champions in January this year but was immediately loaned back to Palace as they looked to make their way back into the Premier League, but since linking up with his new employers he has made just a single appearance in the Community Shield victory over Wigan Athletic at the start of the season.
A number of clubs, including Palace, have been linked with a move for Zaha should he becomes available in January, but Holloway concedes a bid to bring the England Under-21 international back to Selhurst Park is unlikely to go ahead.
“David Moyes has his own issues at Manchester United, so if we were to go shouting about wanting him back on loan, I don’t think we will ever get him back,” Holloway told the South London Press.
“Besides, we have options [on the wings] – Jason Puncheon can play either side and in the pocket as well as in central midfield. Yannick Bolasie is coming back and will do well. It is all about having a squad that is strong enough to make changes and sustain good performances.
“At the moment, we are not beating people. [Jimmy] Kebe might have the chance to do that. And we know Jerome Thomas can.”