Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes keen for long FA Cup

Will Hughes believes he has already learnt a lot from Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira and talked up the club’s chances of enjoying a good run in the FA Cup this season.

The midfielder signed for the Eagles at the end of August and while he had to wait three months before being handed a debut, he has since established himself as a regular.

Hughes was only 10 when Vieira brought his trophy-laden spell with Arsenal to an end but acknowledged there is an “aura” around the 45-year-old who has taken his first steps into Premier League management at Selhurst Park.

“I’ve learnt a lot, even more so in that midfield position,” the former Derby youngster said ahead of Saturday’s fourth-round tie with Hartlepool.

“Look at the career he’s had, he has won almost everything, so any little snippets I can get from him, I can and he is more than happy to let the players in his office to ask anything that you need. That has been a big help.

“He’s cool and calculated, but if he needs to tell you to do something, he won’t hesitate to do it, so he has got that aura about him. He has got that respect that just comes naturally. It has been a pleasure working under him.”

A multitude of factors were behind Hughes failing to make an appearance for Palace until being introduced late on at Leeds in November.

The ex-Watford ace missed the majority of pre-season after being frozen out by his old club and also suffered a back injury early into his tenure with the south Londoners but has started the last eight matches in all competitions.

He added: “I am absolutely loving it. I have settled in straight away, albeit I wasn’t playing at the start of the season.

“There were a few reasons behind that. I didn’t have a pre-season, got injured and first