Bakary Sako merited starting spot, says Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson

Bakary Sako merited starting spot according to Crystal Palace’s manager, Roy Hodgson following his impressive displays lately.

The Mali international has started the last two games for Palace and was on target on both occasions his latest being his sole strike against Burnley on Saturday.

 And after spending a number of times on the bench last season, the winger has earned starting place under the English tactician following his stunning displays for the side recently.

“Before this season he spent a lot of time on the bench and I don’t quite know how many chances he’s had, but he’s obviously not done well enough in them to force himself into the team,” Hodgson told club website.

“But he has done very well recently for us. He would have played at any rate today because of the rate of injuries we’ve had, but in fact, he was certainly in the team merit due to his last performances.

“It is very good that he could chip in with another good goal and I thought his first-half performance was very good. In the second he and Benteke worked very hard to disturb their centre-halves and limit the number of long balls that were flying into our back four.”

Sako has six months left on his contract and Hodgson is confident that the 29-year-old will get a new deal provided he continues with the impressive form.

“Contracts are being dealt with all the time but you have to be careful with them,” he added.

“It’s pretty obvious that Bakary can sit back and see what he can do over the next month or so, knowing full well that if he continues playing as he is at the moment he’s going to get a new contract without a shadow of a doubt.”