Friday 28 September 2018 15:51, UK
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson says referees can "100 per cent" be trusted to protect Wilfried Zaha from rough treatment.
Zaha is Palace's key man and complained about being constantly fouled earlier this month, saying: "I feel like I'd have to get my leg broken for anyone to get a red card."
His comments sparked debate but Hodgson says the matter is now over from his perspective and that the officials can be relied on to look after top players.
Asked if he was concerned about Zaha going forward, Hodgson said: "I think I am concerned for him but I am concerned for all players.
"We, as coaches and managers, don't want to see the best players in the league, the most exciting and entertaining, in any way kicked out of a game or intimidated.
"I think I speak for the bulk of my colleagues when I say that as well.
"What happened and what was said is water under the bridge - we don't allude to it or talk about it at all.
"We expect Wilf to continue to take players on, to go into situations where he risks being fouled and risks being kicked - but he is a brave guy and we trust 100 per cent in the referees to crack down on any wrong tackles, any bad fouls, any wrong behaviour.
"We expect referees to do that and we trust them to do that as well, so as far I am concerned there really is nothing to add to the subject.
"It caused a week of debate but it seems to me to be very much in the past now.
"For the future, we just expect Wilf to carry on doing what Wilf does so well, i.e. getting into dangerous situations and tormenting opposing defences."
Palace travel to Bournemouth on Monday Night Football and Hodgson expects a difficult game, despite the Cherries' 4-0 defeat at Burnley last weekend.
He added: "I think they have had an excellent start to the season and, from what I understand, the Burnley game was one of those games where you don't get outplayed but they take their chances and you don't.
"I understand it was a pretty even game up there - Bournemouth played well enough again and just got on the end of a bad result.
"We know how good they are, in particular how good they are at home, so we are preparing for a tough test."
