Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha backed as England Euro 2016 squad wild-card by boss Alan Pardew

Eagles manager watched the winger impress in FA Cup win over Stoke then said his ability to beat a man with raw pace could come in handy this summer

     Go to France? Yes he Can-Can! Pardew's trying to give Zaha a leg up for Euros selection

Wilfried Zaha could be the missing ingredient for England’s Euro 2016 squad, believes Alan Pardew.
Three Lions boss Roy Hodson saw the winger’s impressive performance for Crystal Palace against Tottenham last weekend, when Zaha forced Jan Vertonghen into an own goal, and England number two Ray Lewington watched Saturday’s game.

The winger put on another lively show against Stoke as Palace advanced to the last 16 of the FA Cup, causing Potters left back Erik Pieters constant problems and his solo finish deciding the game.

And Pardew reckons the 23-year-old’s acceleration and nimble feet offer something a bit different.
He explained: “I can’t think of anyone in the England squad who can actually beat someone from a standing start quite like Wilf.

In pictures - Crystal Palace 1-0 Stoke:

“I think that will be a nice attribute to have either in the starting XI or on the bench, because when you come to the level they’re going to be playing at European Championship, you do need someone to go past someone.

“I look at the wide players and they’re more give and go sort of players – speed and running and passing – whereas Wilf will take people on and beat people.”

Zaha received two caps in the early months of Hodgson’s reign, shortly before his ill-fated move to Manchester United.
 
And while Pardew believes Zaha will always be a winger, there is an opportunity to increase his threat from a more traditional striker's position – his goal against Stoke coming as he forced his way through the central defence.
Pardew said: “I want to encourage him to go through the middle more from the flank.

Sweet 16: Zaha's goal put Crystal Palace in the fifth round of the FA Cup 

“He just needs to end up in more central positions at times and I was really pleased he got that goal – that was an indication he was listening and learning.”

For Stoke, after going out of both domestic Cups in successive games, the challenge is now to make sure their Premier League campaign does not suffer.

The Potters sit ninth and next visit Manchester United on Tuesday, with Mark Hughes’ side looking to improve again on their ninth-placed finishes of the last two seasons and challenge for a Europa League place.

Striker Peter Odemwingie said: “We’ve been very good the past three or four years – Stoke play better in the second half of the season.

“Now the difference is we’ve done so well in the first round. If we can be ourselves in the second round again I think we could be looking at our best ever finish again.”