Everton's Romelu Lukaku can emulate Didier Drogba, says Alan Pardew

Alan Pardew believes Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is well on his way to becoming the next Didier Drogba.

The Crystal Palace manager is preparing his team to face the Belgian on Monday Night Football when they visit Goodison Park.

Lukaku, who has scored 13 goals this season including six in the last five games, again demonstrated he is in some of the finest form of his career with a powerful finish last Saturday at Bournemouth.

Pardew said: "Lukaku is an unusual player in that he's naturally left-footed. I think for a striker that is an advantage.

"Most defenders are defending right-footed players, and he gives them a slight [problem] which sets him apart.

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"His all-round game has improved; he is the full No 9. We looked at the iconic one of the last 10 years, Drogba. You have to say Lukaku does look like he could emulate that. I'm sure that would be his ambition."

With Wilfried Zaha out of the match, live on Sky Sports 1, through suspension, Pardew could rely on Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie and Yohan Cabaye to support £7m summer signing Connor Wickham in a bid for goals.

"Connor is a work in progress," he said. "He needs to add goals, but he hasn't had too many opportunities. This year is a big year. If he is to become what I hope he's going to become then next year is his year.

"He is [still] some way off Dean Ashton. Ashton was probably the best I've worked with, cut short by injury. I've had some very good strikers - Teddy Sheringham, Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, [Carlos] Tevez.

"If I was to pigeon-hole him at the moment I don't think he's a 20-goal a season man. I think he can get 15 in the calendar year. Most managers would be quite happy with his all-round game. I'm targeting 15, 16 goals for him next year."

Watch Everton v Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1HD, from 7pm.