The central defender’s season has yet to begin.

Having torn his cruciate ligament and meniscus on New Year’s Eve last year, the former Blackburn man is still recovering.

“I can remember it like it was yesterday,” said the 31-year-old.

“I was trying to block Kevin De Bryune’s path as he was bursting through and unfortunately he fell on the side of my knee. I knew straight away what I had done and it didn’t feel great.”

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The long road to recovery began for Dann and it would be nine months before he donned a Palace shirt again. He played 45minutes in a friendly against Dulwich Hamlet in October and backed it up with 90minutes against Millwall in an Under23 match.

After Palace’s poor defensive showing at Brighton, Roy Hodgson will be pleased to be able to re-call the influential Liverpudlian to the back-line, and it’s something Dann can’t wait for.

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“You can’t contemplate the buzz when you get to play in a league game at Selhurst in front of the fans, so they’re the moments you crave and put all the hard work in for.

“When I can do that again, it’ll be a long time coming, but it’ll definitely be enjoyable.

“Hopefully I can play a part as soon as possible.”