Sunday 13 December 2015 15:37, UK
Alan Pardew has handed Wales international Wayne Hennessey a boost ahead of Euro 2016 by telling him he is now Crystal Palace's first-choice goalkeeper.
Hennessey has enjoyed a stellar season for the Eagles, taking advantage of injuries to Julian Speroni and Alex McCarthy to stake his claim for a starting berth.
The 28-year-old Hennessey began the season as third-choice behind both Speroni and McCarthy but that is no longer the case with Pardew confirming him as Palace's starter after standout displays.
"The other two (McCarthy and Speroni) have been fit for a while," Pardew said.
"So (Hennessey's) cemented his position with a couple of great performances this week. He's very focused on the Euros at the end of the season for Wales; it's a terrific week for him."
Hennessey played a pivotal role in helping Palace defeat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday as he produced an exceptional save in the final stages when Shane Long was through on goal, having previously kept the score at 0-0 in the first half when tipping over Steven Davis' close-range header.
Pardew admitted after the game that the team had Hennessey to thank for helping earn three points which lift them to sixth in the Premier League table.
Pardew said: "We had a big debt to Wayne there, to just stand tall and stick a leg out and make it difficult for Shane Long. It was a scary moment, I have to say, and I thought he was going to score.
"It was a shame because it was the only mistake the two centre-halves made all day, they both went for the same ball, they got beat in the air, and it was literally a one-on-one."
