Roy Hodgson has instructed Wilfried Zaha to continue running at opposition defenders, even if it means the Crystal Palace forward remains a target.

Palace on Saturday visit Watford, where a further three points would take them even closer to preserving their Premier League status.

The Arsenal and Manchester City target was last season the division's most fouled player, and in the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth earlier this month again became frustrated at the many challenges he was confronted with.

Watford's supporters have long been vocal of their dislike for Zaha, who has significant history against their team which includes a booking for diving in a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road in December 2016.

During that game Watford mascot Harry The Hornet also dived and pointed at the 25-year-old, but even at the risk of further tension, Hodgson does not want him to change his game.

"We want Wilf to have the ball, to do what he's good at doing - beating players and running towards the opponents' goal," said the Palace manager.

"If that means the opponents foul him then he's fairly used to that. We'll have to accept that the referee will then need to take any necessary measures if he thinks the fouls are going behind the pale.

"The players who run with the ball and who are so good at running with the ball with such quick feet as Wilf has, I'm afraid are going to be the ones that draw the fouls. I know he gets fouled a lot, because when we play the ball to him he holds onto it and beats people.

"I'm not particularly aware that teams are targeting him to foul him, and if they are, one has to rely upon the referee to do something about that. There's nothing we as coaches can do about that."

Zaha will on Saturday be pursuing a fourth goal in three games, when Hodgson also again has Jeffrey Schlupp in contention following his return to training from an ankle injury.

He is expected to retain much of the same team that last week defeated Brighton 3-2, but could yet recall Aaron Wan-Bissaka in place of Joel Ward, in the same week the right-back signed a new contract to remain at Selhurst Park until 2022.

"He has got to the stage with the performances that it isn't a case of this is a young player I have to give a chance to, this is a situation where I have to make a decision between two good right-backs and decide which of the two good I want to play," Hodgson said.

"We went for Ward last week because of his experience in a derby (against Brighton) and maybe it was the right time to give Aaron a bit of a break.

"But I don't regard that in any other way than anyone else in the squad. He is a competitor for a place in the team. He's had his chance and he's taken his chance."