Crocked Zaha could sit out Euro U-21 Finals

Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2013 by The Sun

WILFRIED ZAHA could be forced to pull out of England’s under-21 squad with an ankle injury.

SunSport can reveal the striker, who helped Crystal Palace into the Premier League on Monday, needed pain-killing injections ahead of the club’s final 10 games of the season.

And this means Manchester United’s £15million signing could miss the European Under-21s championships in Israel, with England’s first game against Italy on June 5.

Crocked Zaha could sit out Euro U-21 Finals
OUTCH YOU GO? ... Zaha could miss out through his anke injury

Zaha, 20, may now need a rest after his heroics to get the Eagles into the top-flight — he won the penalty which Kevin Phillips converted in extra time to beat Watford 1-0.

This news will be a blow to Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce who is currently with his squad at a training camp in Turkey.

Zaha sealed a move to United in January but was then loaned back to Palace. He played 50 times this season and started to struggle with the ankle problem in the final couple of months.

New United manager David Moyes will not want Zaha travelling to Israel injured.

United’s first pre-season clash is a game on July 13 in Bangkok.

Palace boss Ian Holloway admits he is tempted to ask Moyes if he can borrow Zaha again next season.

Zaha completed his Palace stint in style by darting into the Watford penalty area in the 15th minute of extra time and being brought down by Marco Cassetti for Phillips to dispatch the winning spot-kick.

And Holloway could certainly use him next season as he attempts to keep the south Londoners in the Premier League.

Ollie said: “I think he’d be silly to give me him back. Now we’re up it might be realistic, but who knows?

“Moyes will know the task he’s got.

“Mine will be staying up, his will be winning every week. Good luck to him and good luck to us.”