Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson says returning striker Christian Benteke is not guaranteed a starting place.

Benteke, who came on as a 75th-minute substitute in the 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday, missed a glorious chance to net the winner.

Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend played as makeshift strikers during the former Aston Villa man’s seven-week injury lay-off.

And Hodgson hinted the pair could keep a fit-again Benteke out of the team.

He said: “Christian’s been out for seven weeks. He was a big-money signing for the club.

“There's a lot of expectancy and he'll have to live up to those expectations.

“He had a good chance and missed it. If he does that week after week, gets good chances and misses them, then I don't think people will be saying to me 'don't worry, you've got Benteke to come back'.

“The two up front have been playing very well. Once again, they terrorised the Everton defence today.”