Will Hughes: Late Leeds winner took edge off my Crystal Palace debut

Will Hughes admitted his Crystal Palace debut was soured somewhat by Leeds United grabbing a late winner on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old midfielder was signed at the end of August from Watford but has had to wait three months for his competitive bow.

Hughes replaced Jeffrey Schlupp in the 80th minute at Elland Road.

Raphinha converted from the spot in the third minute of stoppage time after Marc Guehi was penalised for handball.

“I was throughly delighted to get on the pitch but it’s a frustrating way to lose the game at the end,” Hughes told Palace TV. “We managed them pretty well, soaked up the pressure and had chances ourselves.

“If you don’t take your chances it can come back and bite you.

It has taken Hughes a while to get game ready.

“I didn’t really have a pre-season at my previous club which was a bit of a knockback in terms of my fitness,” he said.

“Then I had a back injury which put me back even more. But I feel fit now and raring to go.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD