Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson believes his side will be able to cope with the absence of Wilfried Zaha, after the winger tested positive for coronavirus.
Zaha Forced to Self-Isolate Following Positive Covid-19 Test
Hodgson’s Comments Come Following Defeat to Burnley
Hodgson, speaking after his side’s 1-0 loss to Burnley, told reporters: “We’ve scored 12 this season after nine games. There are goals in the team.
“We do have players who can and will score. There are 29 games to go, and goals will come from lots of different sources – I’m convinced of that.”
Despite Hodgson’s bullish remarks, the loss at Turf Moor would have raised questions over Palace’s inability to score without Zaha in the side.
The former England manager did concede that his side were wasteful in front of goal. He added: “With a little bit more attention to the final pass we would have created even stronger chances.
“But certainly in the game there were four or five gilt-edged chances to score, and if you do that against a team like Burnley that means you’re playing ok, but to get something out of the game you’ve got to take your chances.”
Key Man Zaha Vital to Palace Hopes This Season
Hodgson and Palace fans alike will be hoping Zaha’s absence is only for a short period.
The Ivory Coast international has been in fine form this season, with five goals and two assists in just eight Premier League matches.
Hodgson revealed that Zaha tested positive earlier last week: “We’ve known about it for a few days. I can’t remember exactly when it was now, it was towards the start of last week that we’ve known about it.
“We didn’t want to go out and broadcast it to the world because we were hoping that a second test might have allowed him to play.
“He’s had to self-isolate and I’ve had to wait for that test to hopefully free him. he’s not particularly unwell, it’s just that he failed a test.”
Players can begin training or playing again only after they have returned a negative test result, according to Premier League rules.
Should Zaha return a negative result in the upcoming days, he would be eligible for the Eagles’ match against Newcastle on Friday.
Otherwise, Hodgson will be hoping his available forwards back up his remarks, and are able to cope without his side’s star man.
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