January 25 2017

Wilfried Zaha

Crystal Palace have been boosted by the return of Wilfried Zaha from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Zaha's Ivory Coast suffered a shock exit from the tournament in Gabon and the Palace winger will be heading home earlier than expected.

The holders were unable to progress out of Group C after drawing with Togo and Congo DR, before Morocco beat them 1-0, with Zaha starting all three games.

It was feared that Zaha would be unavailable for Palace until early February, but he is back for next week's crucial Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth.

Zaha – who had switched international allegiance from England – missed Palace's FA Cup ties with Bolton Wanderers and the Premier League losses to West Ham and Everton.

Bakary Sako's Mali have to beat Uganda in their final game on Wednesday and hope other results go their way if they are to remain in the competition.