Pape Souare says he was touched by Crystal Palace fans' reaction to his return to first-team football following a year out with a career-threatening injury.

The left-back played the second-half of Tuesday's 1-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over Huddersfield, concluding his remarkable recovery from a serious car crash in September 2016.

Souare feared he may never play again when he suffered a broken jaw and thigh bone in a crash so severe he needed to be cut from his car.

His father also died in December, and in his absence Palace signed two left-backs in Patrick van Aanholt and Jeffrey Schlupp.

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Pape Soure’s damaged car after the horror crash on the M4 last year

Asked if he felt emotional stepping onto the Selhurst Park pitch as the club's fans chanted his name, Souare said: "Yeah, definitely. That touched me a lot and I give everything for them.

"It made me happy. It is a good feeling to be on the pitch. I just want to say thanks to the fans and everyone at the club.

"I am just trying to give everything for them. This is my first big injury since I was a footballer. It is a fantastic feeling to be back.

"It was (traumatic). The most important thing is that I am back playing.”

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Palace's new manager Roy Hodgson spoke post-match about his concern that the 27-year-old could struggle with the game's high intensity but was satisfied with his contribution as it progressed.

Discussing his readiness to compete in the Premier League, Souare said: "It is step-by-step. I played with the first-team. It is a different level in the Premier League. I played 90 minutes with the Under-23s, 45 minutes with the first team.

"It is working, getting my fitness better. I played the second half and I am very happy to be back. And we are happy for the win.”