Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew is adamant that the signing of the new doctor, Zafar Iqbal, will help bring an end to former-Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh’s ongoing injury problems.
The 31-year-old Morocco international managed to get 60 minutes under his belt for the Eagles’ U21 side on Monday in a push to maintain some match fitness.
Pardew has been able to come out to the press and say that Chamakh will be like a new signing when he returns from injury.
Chamakh did manage to score in Palace’s final game of last season but is still yet to feature since then, including in pre-season.
ex-Newcastle boss Pardew was right when he said Chamakh would feature for the U21’s and is keen to believe that when the striker returns to the first team, it’ll be a fresh start – as if he’s never been around.
Fighting for a place as the striker at Palace this season will be difficult. You’ve already got Glenn Murray and Dwight Gayle, plus the new additions in Patrick Bamford on loan from Chelsa and Connor Wickham from Sunderland.
Speaking to the Croydon Advertiser , here’s what Pardew had to say on the striker:
I think he’s an important player for us, and we’ve taken extra care because his injury record isn’t great,” said Pardew.
We have brought in a new doctor this year, who has tried to change his process of his comeback, make it more thorough and make him stronger so he doesn’t break down again.
It was a massive problem for us last year – he hardly played for me, one of our best players.
He will be a like a new signing for us if we can get 30 games out of him.
