Patrick Vieira admits it has been ‘challenging’ for Crystal Palace summer signing who is set to start vs Newcastle

Patrick Vieira has admitted that it has been challenging for Sam Johnstone to play a support role to Vicente Guaita in the Premier League.

The Palace boss also confirmed that the England keeper will start tomorrow night against Newcastle in the third round of the EFL Cup.

Johnstone joined the Eagles on a four-year deal in the summer after he left Championship side West Brom. He recorded 167 appearances and picked up three England caps during his at The Hawthorns.

The 29-year-old has been on the bench in every Premier League game this season. His first start for the South Londoners came in the 2-0 EFL Cup second-round win over League One side Oxford United.

“It’s challenging for Sam and for all the players on the bench who want to play, but he’s been really good support for Vincente,” said Vieira. 

“He will play tomorrow. 

“What we want in this club is competitiveness between players. Sam is competing every day to play, and he is getting ready for when we will need him to be there to perform. 

“He’s got a really good attitude – his work ethic is fantastic. As a club, we are pleased to have keepers at that level.”

Odsonne Edouard, who has scored three times this season in the Premier League, missed Sunday’s 2-1 victory at West Ham United through injury.

The Eagles travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday for the final game before the league breaks for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

“He started doing some work on the field yesterday,” said Vieira.

“There’s still a chance he can be involved in the game on Saturday, but it depends on how he’s going to react with the workload.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD