Jairo Reidewald has been urged to take inspiration from fromer Eagle Aaron Wan-Bissaka if, as expected, he’s selected at left-back against Brighton tonight.

Arriving at the club as a midfielder, the Dutchman has seen game time limited for the Eagles, making just one league start since arriving in 2017.

But with the club going through a defensive injury crisis Palace boss Roy Hodgson is expected to hand the 23-year-old a start at left-back with regulars Patrick van Aanholt and Jeffrey Schlupp both sideined through injury.

The former Ajax man is no stranger to the position having played the 2017 Europa League final against Manchester United at left-back, and Hodgson believes he should take inspiration from Wan-Bissaka and how successful his transition from a winger to a right-back went before his summer move to United. 

"People do it all the time,” Hodgson said ahead of Brighton’s visit.

“Aaron Wan-Bissaka adapted brilliantly to become a top star at right-back.

“He started his career as a right-winger, so there’s no reason why people can’t change."

Riedewald made his season debut off the bench in the goalless draw at Watford last weekend, replacing the injured Schlupp and is expected to hold on to the shirt for fierce derby at Selhurst Park tonight.

Hodgson insists he has total faith on the left-footer if he was to make his first league start of the season against Brighton.

“Now, if he plays left-back, he’ll have another opportunity in a totally different position to show what a good footballer he is,” Hodgson continued.

"There’s no doubt that he has a lot of football skills and we’re hoping he brings those to bear. As a good footballer, we’re hoping he’ll be able to adapt to a different position.

"We haven’t been unimpressed by Jairo Riedewald these last two years, it’s just he’s been competing for a place in the centre of midfield where we’ve been at our very strongest.”

"It’s not been easy for him to break in and wrest the shirt from the person who is doing well to keep it. Our results over the last couple of years, by our standards, have been pretty good.”