Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has said Wilfried Zaha “needs to be more consistent” as the forward prepares to make his comeback.
Zaha is set to be involved on Wednesday when Vieira’s men face Norwich at Carrow Road.
The 29-year-old has missed Palace’s last six matches in all competitions after serving a suspension and then playing for Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Zaha has scored five goals and registered one assist for Palace in 17 Premier League appearances this season.
When asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday if he felt Zaha was playing to his full potential this term, Vieira said: “I think with his potential he can do more.
“I’m really demanding on him because of his ability, in possession and out of possession. I think he’s a player that can deliver and he needs to be more consistent.
“He is an important player for the team and for the squad. Obviously we are a stronger team when he is on the field and plays at the level we all know he can do.”
Vieira also spoke about the need for Zaha’s team-mates to “take more responsibility”.
“There is no doubt about his talent,” Vieira said.
“I think what is important and what I want is other players around to take responsibility. I don’t want to put all that responsibility on one player.
“Of course, when you are Wilfried Zaha, with the experience and with what he has been doing in the Premier League, the focus and the eyes will be more on him, and that is normal. But players around him need to take more responsibility.”
Vieira had earlier said that while he was “quite pleased” with where Palace are currently at, it was “important for us to do better and win more football matches”, stressing the need to be “more ruthless” in attack and improve defensively.
The Eagles are currently 13th in the Premier League with 24 points from 22 games. Their 3-0 win over Norwich at Selhurst Park on December 28 is their only victory in their last six league outings.
Regarding Zaha’s availability for Wednesday, Vieira said: “He has been training in the last couple of days with the squad.
“Since the Africa Cup of Nations he had a couple of days off and now he’s feeling really good. He’ll be part of the squad travelling to Norwich and he’s been doing well.”
Ivory Coast’s involvement in the tournament in Cameroon ended in the last 16 – Senegal, with Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate in the side, went on and emerged as champions after beating Egypt in Sunday’s final, and the midfielder will not be part of Vieira’s squad on Wednesday.
Two other players who could make returns to action against Norwich are James Tomkins and James McArthur, who have been back in training after injury.
