Alan Pardew: 'Yannick Bolasie will return against Chelsea'

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that Yannick Bolasie will return to the squad for the trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

Bolasie was absent from last weekend's 2-1 win over Aston Villa after travelling to DR Congo to see family following the death of his father.

Despite being given time off to grieve, Pardew believes that the 26-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, will be ready to make his comeback at Stamford Bridge.

"He has lost his father and of course that affects any human being and any family, and he's dealing with his family," the Palace boss told reporters.

"He'll be involved on Saturday because he wants to be involved. Because his father went to every game. I think that's good for us, it'll be good for him and his family.

"The player's welfare is in good shape, he's in a good frame of mind. We're very pleased that he's dealing with it so well."

Palace have taken six points from their opening three Premier League games.