CRYSTAL Palace manager Neil Warnock has declared he is Paul Ifill's "biggest fan" after watching him return from injury to help seal a 2-0 victory over Watford on Saturday.
Ifill has been persistently plagued with back and hamstring injuries this season and has been unable to maintain a consistent spell in the team since arriving from Sheffield United in January 2007.
Despite this, Warnock clearly believes Ifill's spell at Selhurst Park can yet be saved from the failure previously envisaged and showed his faith by introducing the talented winger in the 65th minute to replace loanee Scott Sinclair.
Warnock said: "He has had a nightmare time with injuries, but he is an important part of the team.
"We are going to have to monitor what he does and there are a few machines we are going to use on him to see if we can keep him fit.
"He's been on fire at training all week and there's no-one better when he's fit.
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"I'm his biggest supporter."
Palace took the lead in the crucial encounter at Vicarage Road in the 71st minute when Ifill latched on to a long ball and then cut into the area to place him in a brilliant position to rifle home a left-footed strike past Richard Lee.
The travelling Palace fans, who were vociferous throughout, barely had time to take their seats as minutes later Victor Moses doubled the lead.
Following a typically surging run, Moses drilled an effort across goal which deflected in off Watford goalkeeper Richard Lee to ensure victory and a three-point cushion in the race for the play-offs.
Moses was again influential throughout and his consistent spell in the team will undoubtedly bode well for Palace's play-off chances.
Warnock is very much aware of the impact made by the crop of youngsters, but is wary of the pressure being placed upon them.
He said: "I don't want the young lads talking yet. They have got so much on their minds and they are very naïve and inexperienced.
"They won't be talking to the press as I don't think it's the right time. They're very naive, but they just want to play football. They want to go out and play."
Warnock also revealed he has no intention of cashing in on the highly-rated Moses.
He said: "If I was a top club I'd be watching him but fortunately he's going to be at Palace while I'm here.
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