Tuesday 2 December 2014 09:15, UK
Neil Warnock has denied a report that claimed Wilfried Zaha's attitude is keeping him out of the Crystal Palace side.
Zaha has played just seven times since rejoining Palace on loan from Manchester United in the summer, and a weekend report alleged his poor timekeeping was partly to blame.
But ahead of Tuesday's home game against Aston Villa Warnock defended Zaha and even claimed the England international has the talent to be in United's first team if he adapts his game.
"The facts are that Wilfried has been fined once for being late," Warnock said. "It was on the team photograph day, he kept us all waiting and couldn't get away with that.
He has been a complete gent - he has never once caused me a problem.
"But there were circumstances and he has been a complete gent - he has never once caused me a problem and his attitude has been superb.
"Young lads in particular are hot and cold. They are up and down and you have to manage them and have a look and when they are up, use them and when they are down take them out of the limelight.
"He hasn't played as many games as he would like but I think he is improving as a player and a person and that will help him.
"Wilf does need coaching and encouragement and sometimes you haven't got time at the big clubs, they are all top international players whereas I think Wilfried has been learning all the time since he has been with us.
"We played United recently and I think Wilfried is far better than some of those in the team. Managers like players, and if they sign the player they seem to have a bit more faith in them or support them. But I think Wilfried knows he has to change as well.
"There are some parts of his game he has to change to become a top player and that's what he is working on at the moment, because he wants to be a top player."
