‘Massive part to play’ – Vieira addresses Crystal Palace midfielder’s lack of game time

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira says that Will Hughes will have a “massive” part to play this season.

The 27-year-old, who joined from Watford last summer for £6million, has only played 57 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Hughes featured 20 times last season and scored his first goal for the club in the 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Everton.

Vieira has opted to use a midfield trio of Cheick Doucoure, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise in recent weeks. Hughes last played more than 20 minutes in the 4-2 defeat at Manchester City on August 27.

When asked what Hughes needs to do to work his way back into the team, Vieira said: “It’s to keep working. 

“We have a couple of players around [that position]. He was ill in the last week, and now he is getting on his feet and getting better. 

“Hughes, like any other players, will have a massive part to play because of the squad that we have.

“He did really well last year, and this year it was difficult for him to find his form because of the injuries he had and the illness that he had. But he is a massive part of the squad.”

All of Palace’s three wins this season – Aston Villa, Leeds and Wolves – have all come from the Eagles going behind in games.

“It’s frustrating, but on the hand, it shows the character of the players,” said Vieira.

“I would prefer to lead, but that shows an area of the game we need to improve – the way we are approaching the game and the concentration and determination we start the game.

“It’s something we discussed and there is maybe a different approach that we need to have, but it is a concern to concede the first goal because when you look at the squad, the percentage of teams that win games when they score the first goal is really high. 

“This is something that we have to work on to be better.”