Crystal Palace: 'Deceptive' 14-cap star 'might be the answer' at Selhurst Park

Nathaniel Clyne could be the answer to Crystal Palace‘s right-back conundrum, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

The 14-cap England international has been restricted to a bit-part role since he re-signed for the Eagles in the summer of 2020, but the 31-year-old is currently enjoying his best run in the team.

For the majority of Clyne’s second spell at Selhurst Park, Joel Ward has been number one right-back.

As a result, the ex-Liverpool and Southampton defender has made just 21 top-flight starts, spending the majority of the last two seasons watching on from the sidelines.

But a groin injury to Ward in February has allowed Clyne to play every minute across the last seven Premier League games and two FA Cup matches.

Despite Clyne’s upturn in fortunes, his two-year contract expires at the end of the season, which means he could be a free agent once again this summer if he doesn’t sign fresh terms with the Eagles.

But with Martin Kelly also out of contract and Ward approaching the final 12 months of his deal, Barclay reckons that he could be Patrick Vieira’s answer moving forward.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s a funny one Clyne. We all remember what a great player he was.

“There’s a reason he played for Liverpool and England, but he’s been ravaged by injuries, but the flip side to that is he has missed so much football, maybe his age might be deceptive.

“But he’s got fewer miles in the tank, so if he can get back to that consistency, maybe he could be the answer.”

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Clyne’s WhoScored rating is the 16th-best in the Palace squad this season (6.53), but their results during his recent run in the side have been impressive.

In seven matches, the Eagles