Eberechi Eze stance explained as former Millwall midfielder heads back to Den with Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has outlined whether Eberechi Eze will get an opportunity in the FA Cup against South London rivals Millwall tomorrow.

The 23-year-old has featured sporadically from the bench since returning to the Crystal Palace squad. He was sidelined after suffering an Achilles injury in May.

Eze played 30 minutes in the 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa and six minutes in the 1-0 loss at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Eze, who was on the books at Millwall as a youngster, joined Palace in an initial £18million move from QPR in August 2020 and scored four goals and contributed six assists in his debut Premier League campaign.

Palace travel to The Den for the FA Cup third round on Saturday – the first time the two sides have met since April 2013.

Forward players Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha are away for the Africa Cup of Nations. When asked if the FA Cup will allow Eze to earn more minutes, Vieira said: “The competition will give him more time.

“Having those three players at the Africa Cup of Nations will give some of the players who did not play a lot some more time, and this is what he needs – he needs to be on the field and to play games to get to his best.”

Vieira added on the Greenwich-born Eze: “He will have that opportunity. He is waiting, he is working well, and he is working hard.

“He wants to play, which is normal – seeing players who want to get on the field and express their talent is something that I want to see.

“Of course, he is finding it difficult because he feels ready to be on the field and to play. But at the same time, he needs to understand that he has been out for quite a while, and it will take time for him to get to his best.

“We are in the position now that will allow me to give him more time on the field.”

While Eze predominantly featured as the left midfielder in a 4-4-2 under Roy Hodgson last season, he also showed towards the end of the campaign that he was well-equipped to play as a centre midfielder or attacking midfielder behind the striker.

Vieira, who has deployed a 4-3-3 since taking charge at Selhurst Park, said: “He can play in both positions.

“He can play on the front three of the left-hand side, he can play as one of the two players behind the striker, and he has the facility and technical ability that allows him to play between the line.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD