Crystal Palace U23 coach Richard Shaw has high hopes for young midfielder Luke Dreher.
The 20-year-old is one of many highly-rated players at the south London outfit and made the matchday squad for the trip to Old Trafford in the 2015/2016 campaign following an impressive year with the academy side as well as the development team.
His reward for winning the club's Under-18 Player of the Year that season was to feature for the first-team in pre-season and then made the bench for the Premier League clash against Middlesbrough in September 2016.
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However, a succession of long-term injuries have disrupted his progress in recent years.
After months on the sidelines, Dreher made a welcome return to the U23's side in the 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Monday afternoon at Selhurst Park, coming through 45 minutes unscathed.
Eagles coach Shaw was delighted to call upon Dreher again. In fact he's outlined plans for the midfielder between now and the end of the season whilst also paying him the biggest compliment by comparing him to a Manchester United legend.
"Luke is a great talent, I can't speak highly of him," Shaw told football.London. "I had him with the U16's when I was working there and Luke is one we have to put but we have to be steady with him.
"He's about 6ft3 now, he's grown very quickly and his body hasn't quite caught up.
"Luke plays the way - many people won't remember this guy - Bryan Robson at Man United, he's all action. He will get injuries with the way he plays, but he can't change that style.
"He covers the ground well, he's a good footballer, he scores goals and defends, that's a great endorsement to have for him.
"Just to get him fit and try to keep him fit is really important in the next year."
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