Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has defended Mamadou Sakho from accusations he lacks professionalism as the Frenchman prepares to face former club Liverpool.
The 28-year-old joined Palace permanently in September for £26million, having impressed while on loan at Selhurst Park after his relationship with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp broke down.
Sakho was sent home from Liverpool's 2016 pre-season tour of the United States for repeatedly breaking club rules, and did not play for the Merseysiders thereafter but remained at the club - despite interest from Stoke and West Brom, and expressing his frustration on social media - until joining Palace on loan in January 2017.