Connor Wickham’s Crystal Palace return is welcome news for the Eagles amid Everton defeat

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Amid the overwhelming disappointment of Crystal Palace’s 2-0 loss to Everton on Sunday, there was one positive development for the Eagles in the closing stages of the match.

Striker Connor Wickham made his long-awaited return from injury against the Toffees, making his first Premier League appearance since November 2016 — a span of almost two full years.

The return of Wickham is welcome news for the south London club, adding another source of goals to Roy Hodgson’s low-scoring outfit.

Wickham has the ability to be prolific at times in the top flight and the 25-year-old must rediscover his previous form in order to revitalise the Palace attack.

The Englishman notably scored five goals in a three-match stretch in 2014, while his crucial strikes kept Sunderland up that campaign.

Yet his time at Selhurst Park has been stop-start: filled with injuries and constant disruptions. In 35 appearances, Wickham has bagged nine goals, but his last tally came all the way back in November 2016 against Manchester City.

The Eagles currently sit 15th with only five league goals to their name — only Huddersfield have scored less in the entire division.

The timely return of Connor Wickham is a massive boost for Crystal Palace, granting Roy Hodgson the services of a streaky, yet streetwise striker for the rest of the season.