Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne is hoping he can get a run of games in the team after impressing at right-back vs Chelsea on Saturday.
The 31-year-old has been limited to just two Premier League starts all season for the Eagles but was given the nod against the Blues with regular choice Joel Ward out injured.
He responded with a commanding performance as Palace fought admirably, ultimately losing 1-0 to a late Hakim Ziyech goal.
Despite the result - which he revealed left the dressing room “gutted” - Clyne said he was pleased to come through the 90 minutes and was now targeting a run of games in Patrick Vieira’s starting XI.
“I haven’t played in a while, so I was just focused on having a good start and preparing well in training - I was excited to see my name on the teamsheet,” he said.
“I thought I did really well. I grew into the game as well, and overall it was good. Hopefully, it will continue, and I will get better with a run [of games].”
“Every player that’s not playing games or on the bench or not involved is not in a good space,” he continued.
“I stayed positive, I always trained hard and kept my body in good shape to be ready for whenever I was called upon. Today, I got the opportunity to play, and hopefully, I did the manager proud.”
Clyne’s Palace career began in the club’s academy where he went on to make his senior debut under Neil Warnock in 2008.
He soon wracked up 137 appearances for the Eagles across four seasons in the Championship before joining Premier League newcomers Southampton in 2012 and then Liverpool in 2015.
Roy Hodgson eventually brought Clyne back to Palace in 2020 where he signed a one-year contract extension last summer to keep him at Selhurst Park until 2022.
“This club feels like home,” he added. “I have been here through the academy, played a lot of games in the Championship with Palace, and now I’m enjoying playing in the Premier League
“I love being here – love coming into training. It’s my local team, so I have got all my family and friends coming to watch the games. It’s enjoyable, and I am loving every minute of it.
Clyne added that he was also happy to be back sharing a pitch with fellow academy graduate Wilfried Zaha.
“Wilf is a good friend of mine - I have known him for a very long time,” he said. “It’s good to be back on the field playing with him. I know his game, and he knows my game. I am looking forward to playing more games with him.”
Palace now have two important fixtures in quick succession as they face Watford away from home on Wednesday night before taking on Burnley at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Both sides are currently fighting to claw themselves free of the relegation places, which places added pressure on the Eagles to avoid defeat and hand momentum to the teams below them.
“They are definitely winnable games,” said Clyne. “It’s not going to be easy because both teams are fighting for their lives at the moment, so they will be tough games.
“Hopefully, we can show our quality and come away with two wins."
