Joel Ward will travel with the Crystal Palace team to Leicester City this weekend after spending more than a month on the treatment table.

The full-back picked up a knee injury during training in the week after the Chelsea game, in which he scored his second goal of the season.

Eagles boss Alan Pardew also confirmed two further absentees are nearing a return to action.

If you're going to Leicester City, be ready for goals, says Pardew

He said: “Connor [Wickham] is back running. He had a breakdown in his calf injury, but we don’t think he is too far away.

“Marouane [Chamakh] is also very close to a return. Apart from that, everyone else is available.”

Pardew also confirmed that midfielder Sullay Kaikai will remain on loan at Shrewsbury Town until the end of the season.