Joel Ward has offered Crystal Palace a timely injury boost after making his long awaited return to training following a serious knee injury.
The 30-year-old, Palace’s only senior right-back, has been absent since hobbling off in a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in November, with Martin Kelly having to play out of position as cover ever since.
However, Ward is back in training and could make his return at the Etihad against Manchester City on Saturday.
Joel Ward is back in training and ready for selection," the Palace boss confirmed on Friday.
Palace will again be without Andros Townsend at City, with the winger stepping up his recovery from injury but not yet ready to return.
Townsend's stunning goal helped fire Palace to a shock victory at the Etihad last season but Hodgson has warned his team not to live off the memory of that 3-2 victory.
Christian Benteke could be involved from the bench, though the Belgian has fallen down the pecking order in south London following the arrival of Cenk Tosun on loan from Everton.
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