{"id":573103,"date":"2020-11-23T17:16:37","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T22:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=573103"},"modified":"2020-11-23T17:29:27","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T22:29:27","slug":"roy-hodgson-convinced-crystal-palace-can-still-score-goals-after-zaha-tests-positive-for-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/23\/roy-hodgson-convinced-crystal-palace-can-still-score-goals-after-zaha-tests-positive-for-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Roy Hodgson ‘Convinced’ Crystal Palace Can Still Score Goals After Wilfried Zaha Tests Positive for Coronavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crystal Palace<\/a> boss Roy Hodgson believes his side will be able to cope with the absence of Wilfried Zaha<\/a>, after the winger tested positive for coronavirus.<\/p>\n

Zaha Forced to Self-Isolate Following Positive Covid-19 Test<\/h2>\n

Hodgson’s Comments Come Following Defeat to Burnley<\/h3>\n

Hodgson, speaking after his side’s 1-0 loss to Burnley<\/a>, told reporters: “We\u2019ve scored 12 this season after nine games. There are goals in the team.<\/p>\n

“We do have players who can and will score. There are 29 games to go, and goals will come from lots of different sources \u2013 I\u2019m convinced of that.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“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\u2019re playing ok, but to get something out of the game you\u2019ve got to take your chances.”<\/p>\n

Key Man Zaha Vital to Palace Hopes This Season<\/h3>\n

Hodgson and Palace fans alike will be hoping Zaha’s absence is only for a short period.<\/p>\n

The Ivory Coast international has been in fine form this season, with five goals and two assists in just eight Premier League matches.<\/p>\n

Hodgson revealed that Zaha tested positive earlier last week<\/a>: “We\u2019ve known about it for a few days. I can\u2019t remember exactly when it was now, it was towards the start of last week that we\u2019ve known about it.<\/p>\n

“We didn\u2019t want to go out and broadcast it to the world because we were hoping that a second test might have allowed him to play.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s had to self-isolate and I\u2019ve had to wait for that test to hopefully free him. he\u2019s not particularly unwell, it\u2019s just that he failed a test.”<\/p>\n

Players can begin training or playing again only after they have returned a negative test result, according to Premier League rules.<\/p>\n

Should Zaha return a negative result in the upcoming days, he would be eligible for the Eagles’ match against Newcastle on Friday.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, Hodgson will be hoping his available forwards back up his remarks, and are able to cope without his side’s star man.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>