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Wilfried Zaha returns from injury in time for Crystal Palace's clash with Chelsea as boss Roy Hodgson says: 'Fans will be pleased to see him back'

Crystal Palace can welcome back Wilfried Zaha for Saturday's visit of Chelsea as they pursue their first points of the Premier League season.

The influential forward's absence, since a knee injury suffered in the 3-0 home defeat by Huddersfield in their first fixture of 2017-18, has contributed to the fact Palace have lost all seven league games without scoring.

Manager Frank de Boer was sacked and succeeded by Roy Hodgson after the fourth defeat of that run, and the club's only recognised striker, Christian Benteke, has also since suffered a knee injury.

Wilfried Zaha returns from injury to join the Crystal Palace squad for the game against Chelsea
Wilfried Zaha returns from injury to join the Crystal Palace squad for the game against Chelsea
Zaha has been out since the opening day of the season after injuring his knee
Zaha has been out since the opening day of the season after injuring his knee

With the promising, on-loan Ruben Loftus-Cheek ineligible against his parent club, Zaha's return to fitness becomes particularly significant, and Hodgson said: 'He can make a difference.