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Emmanuel Adebayor set for Crystal Palace debut against Bournemouth

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Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says new signing Emmanuel Adebayor is 'pencilled in' to face Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Alan Pardew plans to give Emmanuel Adebayor his Crystal Palace debut at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The Eagles manager has also insisted only injury kept him from selecting Dwight Gayle for Saturday's 1-0 win over Stoke in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Pardew had previously spoken of his concerns surrounding Adebayor's lack of match-fitness, while the absence of Gayle increased speculation he is to leave for Swansea.

Adebayor's arrival on a free transfer until the end of the season will likely further limit Gayle's first-team chances, given he was already far from a regular, but Pardew denied he had left the striker out of his FA Cup squad amid reported interest from Swansea

Emmanuel Adebayor signs for Crystal Palace
Image: Emmanuel Adebayor could be set for his Crystal Palace debut on Tuesday against Bournemouth

"Dwight got four goals in our pre-game [training match] we have on a Friday, but was injured [on Saturday]," Pardew said. "We've kind of pencilled [Adebayor] in to be involved on Tuesday, so we'll have to wait and see. I think there's a good chance.

"We had a few players missing [against Stoke], lost a couple at half-time, but everybody really put in a performance at their level or above their level, and you can't ask for more than that.

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Image: Pardew said Dwight Gayle was unavailable for selection against Stoke because of injury

"You could see by the results in the FA Cup, the Premier League [teams are] taking this competition a lot more seriously than before."