Wilfried Zaha: 'Connor Wickham is important part of Crystal Palace team'

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has said that Connor Wickham's link-up play has helped the team to perform better this season.

The striker played a crucial role as Palace defeated Newcastle United 5-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with Zaha getting on the scoresheet.

Zaha has said that it is great to play alongside the former Sunderland and Ipswich Town frontman.

"He managed to get hold of everything and brought us all into the game. That is what he is good at and he showed it," Zaha told the London Evening Standard.

"It was a massive performance from him. That is what we needed. Like what Glenn [Murray] used to do by linking up the play. That is what Connor did and it helped us."

Palace signed Wickham for £7m from Sunderland in the summer.