Patrick Vieira sends Wilfried Zaha warning as winger prepares for Crystal Palace return

Patrick Vieira says that Wilfried Zaha needs to show more consistency in a Crystal Palace shirt and that the winger still has potential to fulfil as a player.

Zaha has five goals in 18 appearances for the Eagles this season and is the only Palace player to have scored 50 Premier League goals for the club, passing that landmark with his opener against Manchester City in November.

Despite that, the Ivorian has only found form in patches this season and was shown a red card in his most recent appearance for Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Boxing Day.

He then left for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon where his Ivory Coast got out of their group before being knocked out by losing finalists Egypt on penalties in the round of 16.

Zaha is expected to make his return for Palace on Wednesday evening against Norwich in the Premier League, though his manager has challenged him ahead of the game to produce more in front of goal.

"With his potential, I think he can do more," Vieira told reporters in his press conference on Tuesday morning.

"I’m really demanding of him because of his ability in possession and out of possession. He is a player that can deliver and he needs to be more consistent.

"I think the experience is telling me that the talent is fantastic to have but what is important is the team. We built a squad where players are taking confidence and belief in their ability. We have a couple of players who can score goals and create chances.

"We are stronger when we have a really good Wilfried Zaha on the field because of his ability to score goals and create danger. But it’s important as well for him to understand that you need the team around you to perform and to allow him to do what he can to deliver."

W