ADLÈNE Guedioura says Crystal Palace will have extra motivation when they take on Stoke City tomorrow at Selhurst Park.

Not only will the Eagles be in search of three invaluable points in the fight to stay in the Premier League but manager Tony Pulis will be up against his former club.

The Welshman spent 10 seasons in charge at the Britannia in two separate spells but will be hoping for a win which would see his new club climb within just two points of Mark Hughes’ men in a congested bottom half of the table.

Speaking after Palace’s unfortunate 2-0 away defeat to Tottenham last Saturday, Guedioura was hopeful of a better result in the first of two consecutive home league games for the Eagles.

The midfielder said: “When you are against your old team it’s not like you want to prove something but it’s a game that you have to win more than others and you have extra strong motivation.

“We want to win because we need points and we are at home and because we are fighting to stay up.

“It’s not easy because it is the Premier League but we hope we can do well in this game.

“The players that we have want to battle. Every game is like a battle – not in a bad way but in a good way.

“In the Premier League there are no easy games and so we are hoping to go back to Selhurst and get the win.”

The Algerian claims Palace’s players would relish the competition provided by new arrivals should Pulis decide to strengthen his squad in the transfer window.

He said: “We are professionals. If he brings in some new players who can help we will be happy.

"This is the Premier League - we need to be in competition because that will make us very good and we will be competitive in games and training.

“Even if there are new players I will be the same – I will be working hard and showing the gaffer I deserve my place.”

After a spell on the sidelines through injury Guedioura, who replaced Jason Puncheon for the last eight minutes at White Hart Lane, is hopeful he can force his way back into the team with more game time starting tomorrow.

He said: “I am available now and I’m happy to come back and get some games.

“Everybody wants to play and I need to play more games go get totally fit but I think I didn’t miss too many games so I will be fine.”

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