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Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha targets injury return against Chelsea after international break

Working hard: Wilfried Zaha: Getty Images
Working hard: Wilfried Zaha: Getty Images

Wilfried Zaha has said he is working hard to return from his knee injury against Chelsea next month.

The winger has been out since the opening day of the season and his absence has been a major blow for Crystal Palace.

Zaha has this week started training outside with a ball again and the 24-year-old hopes to be back in action after the upcoming international break.

He said: “I am getting stronger. I am trying to be back for the Chelsea game. It is hard to watch as obviously I want to help the team going through this hard patch. That is why I am working so hard at the gym to help the team as soon as possible.”

Zaha has admitted he was surprised Palace sacked Frank de Boer after just four games and 77 days in charge.

He said: “I slightly think he should have got a bit more time, as it is not easy to transition from how we used to play to the way we play now. But football is ruthless. If you are not getting the results you get fired.”

Without Zaha, Palace have lost their opening five Premier League games and have not yet scored a goal.

The Eagles face a difficult trip to Manchester City tomorrow but Mamadou Sakho is in line to start and give them a lift after he played 70 minutes in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Zaha added: “Once we get that confidence I think we will kick on.”