March 13 2018

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK is desperate to help Crystal Palace climb out of relegation danger after recovering from injury.

The England midfielder has been sidelined since December after sustaining a fractured ankle during Palace's loss against Arsenal.

After being treated at parent club Chelsea, LOFTUS-CHEEK has finally returned to full training with the Eagles and is eager for a recall to Roy Hodgson's starting line-up.

The 22-year-old told the Palace website: "I'm not sure [how far off I am]. I'm training fully now, the quicker I can get fit, the quicker I can play. If the manager wants to throw me in games early on, that's even better.

"I feel really good, I'm really happy to get back in the swing of things, get fit again and get training and playing as quick as I can.

"My right ankle took a little bit of a fracture and it has taken a while but thankfully I am back now and that is the good thing.

"With the amount of injuries the team has had we need as many back as possible. It’s good to have Mama [Sakho], who’s a big character in the team, and Wilf as well. Hopefully we can all be ready to play against Huddersfield."