Alan Pardew: Striker has something '95% of the Premier League' don't have

CRYSTAL PALACE will welcome back a 'weapon' into their side when they face Southampton in the FA Cup.

 

Pardew has been short of strikers, but is slowly returning to full strength

 

Bakary Sako has been out since late November with a hamstring problem but he was named on the bench as Palace were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea at Selhurst Park.

But now Pardew is delighted that he can welcome the Mali striker back into the matchday squad when they arrive at St Mary's Stadium.

"Bakary Sako is important because he can’t get a goal out of nothing, and scoring goals is obviously top of my agenda at the moment," Pardew said.

 

"He gives me a weapon that I haven’t had in five or six games. 

"He has a shot on both feet that has got a little bit more venom than 95% of the Premier League."

Palace's inury problems going forward are not limited to Sako.

 

With Patrick Bamford returning to Chelsea are an unsuccessful loan spell, Connor Wickham and Dwight Gayle are both unavailable for Saturday's clash with the Saints.

Yannick Bolasie also has a hip problem and with Kwesi Appiah on the long-term injury list, Sako's return becomes even more important.

However, Pardew has targeted the upcoming Premier League game against Aston Villa as a return date for two of those players.

 

"Dwight is coming back to fitness," added Pardew.

"It’s very important that he and Connor are making great progress.

"We think they’re going to be available for Aston Villa and it's great to have Bacary is available for us on Saturday."