Nathaniel Clyne sends message to Joel Ward as Crystal Palace full-back impresses vs Chelsea

Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne is hoping he can get a run of games in the team after impressing at right-back vs Chelsea on Saturday.

The 31-year-old has been limited to just two Premier League starts all season for the Eagles but was given the nod against the Blues with regular choice Joel Ward out injured.

He responded with a commanding performance as Palace fought admirably, ultimately losing 1-0 to a late Hakim Ziyech goal.

Despite the result - which he revealed left the dressing room “gutted” - Clyne said he was pleased to come through the 90 minutes and was now targeting a run of games in Patrick Vieira’s starting XI.

“I haven’t played in a while, so I was just focused on having a good start and preparing well in training - I was excited to see my name on the teamsheet,” he said.

“I thought I did really well. I grew into the game as well, and overall it was good. Hopefully, it will continue, and I will get better with a run [of games].”

“Every player that’s not playing games or on the bench or not involved is not in a good space,” he continued.

“I stayed positive, I always trained hard and kept my body in good shape to be ready for whenever I was called upon. Today, I got the opportunity to play, and hopefully, I did the manager proud.”

Clyne’s Palace career began in the club’s academy where he went on to make his senior debut under Neil Warnock in 2008.

He soon wracked up 137 appearances for the Eagles across four seasons in the Championship before joining Premier League newcomers Southampton in 2012 and then Liverpool in 2015.

Roy Hodgson eventually brought Clyne back to Palace in 2020 where he signed a one-year contract extension last summer to keep him at Selhurst Park until 2022.

“This club