Crystal Palace vs Stoke City - Pardew hopes Leicester 'stardust' falls on FA Cup finalists

Posted Saturday, May 07, 2016 by PA

Alan Pardew has challenged Crystal Palace to seize on Leicester's shot in the arm for the underdog and take inspiration for their own fight against the odds.

Palace boss Pardew hailed Leicester for breaking English football's "glass ceiling" by fending off the traditional powers to win the Premier League title.

The former Palace midfielder has now called on his Eagles to channel that spirit into their quest to tie up top-flight safety - then to topple Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

Palace host Stoke on Saturday with Pardew demanding his side finally secure their Premier League place for another campaign, while also conceding that keeping focus on the league remains a tough challenge.

"Leicester won the league after 36 games and for 10 games last season they were the best team in the league," said Pardew.

"So for the best part of 50 games they've been the best team in the country. All this about things falling their way is not quite correct.

"So they deserve all the plaudits they get. I'm glad they've done it early because they can enjoy it now.

"It's a lift for us, because it means the underdog can do it. We'll definitely be the underdog in the cup final, and that gives us a little boost.

"We've got a chance to make history at this football club, our run in the cup is very impressive. We've not stolen into the final, we've had to beat some good teams to get there.

"I think we can improve our position in the league too though, and a win against Stoke would do that, and that's our immediate focus.

"It's not easy to keep minds off the cup, because for our level it's a unique position for a lot of the players, so it's an adjustment. Some of us who have been here before know how to treat it, but for others it's difficult.

"The focus has definitely slipped in the league and you can't argue with that. I've got to put a team out that's focused to win, and that's important.

"It's a great thing to look forward to, there's real excitement about the place and we've got a job to do this Saturday."

Wilfried Zaha will miss the clash with Stoke at Selhurst Park due to a leg muscle problem, Yannick Bolasie is battling illness to be ready and Mile Jedinak is struggling with a knock.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes could be without Bojan Krkic (foot) but Glen Johnson will be unavailable as he recovers from a knee injury despite returning to training this week.

Marc Wilson has been ruled out for the last two games for the Potters due to a knee problem.

Hughes has admitted that striker Peter Crouch has been disappointed with his amount of Premier League game-time this season.

Crouch, 35, has made only 10 league appearances and has failed to score in any, but Hughes was impressed by his performance in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland last weekend.

The Stoke boss is pondering his forward options as the Potters try to equal their best Premier League points total of 54 by winning their last two games.

Speaking at the pre-march press conference, Hughes said: "Peter played really well last week.

"It didn't surprise me, I said after the game that he is a good player that I have probably disappointed more than most this season just because we had new players in the building and we needed to get them up to speed in the Premier League, and sometimes that has restricted his opportunities in the Premier League.

"He has had decent appearances during the season but not enough starts in the Premier League he will feel, but he came in and did what he always does, he has done himself no harm."