Brede Hangeland might be struggling to get a game at the minute but Neil Warnock has praised the central defender’s professionalism.

The 31-year-old was signed by Tony Pulis in the summer but his only start under Warnock came in last week’s 3-2 League Cup defeat at the hands of Newcastle.

This morning the new Eagles boss was asked if Hangeland had queried why he wasn’t playing.

“What can you say to him?” responded Warnock.

“I pick a side and they do well and you keep them. He is a very good pro.

“He was the first to congratulate me at the weekend with the result. He trains very, very hard.

“We organise games and next week we will definitely have a proper game on Wednesday for these guys because they’ve got to do m ore than train, they’ve got to have games.

“Andy Johnson is the same.

“We’ve got to make sure we keep on top of looking after those.

“They are as much as important as the first team which is actually turning out at the minute is because we are going to need everybody between now and the end of the season.”

Warnock added: “I’ve said to Barry Bannan as I’ve said to Brede Hangeland, Jonny Williams and you name it – it is the same conversation.

“They all want to be playing but unfortunately at the moment you don’t change a winning formula.”