Vieira banks on Olise as Zaha departs for AFCON
Micheal Olise Nigeria, Crystal Palace, EPL Table
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is hopeful that his young forward Michael Akpovie Olise will come good at this critical stage of the season.
Vieira believes Olise has the chance to have a big second half of the season after again impressing off the bench against West Ham.
The attacking midfielder who remains eligible to play for Nigeria signed from Reading over the summer and eased into Premier League football.
The 20-year old was sent on with Palace 3-0 down at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening before setting up Odsonne Edouard's goal and scoring a fine free-kick himself to give the Eagles hope of a comeback.
With Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha set to join up with their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations this month - the latter having to wait until his period of isolation is over following a positive coronavirus test - there will be further chances for Olise to shine in the weeks ahead and his manager has challenged the 20-year-old to step up and take them.
"It will be up to him," said Vieira. "He will have the space obviously with Jordan and Wilf going to internationals and it will be up to him to show how good he is and to take his chances.
"But obviously the plan is to work with him to help him progress. But I think against West Ham he showed all his talent.
"But hopefully and the plan is for him to play more games in the second half of the season. But the number of games that he will play will be up to him about how and what he will show in training."