Roy Hodgson has told Wilfried Zaha he should expect a backlash from Crystal Palace fans after the Ivory Coast winger tried to force through a move away from Selhurst Park this summer.
The former Manchester United winger had been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Everton during the transfer window, and was sent home from training by Hodgson on deadline day.
No move materialised, though, with Zaha set to remain an Eagles player until January after he came to a truce with the south London club, ruling out a possible switch to Europe where summer transfer windows remain open.
The 26-year-old could feature for Palace this weekend as they begin their campaign by hosting the Toffees in a curious twist of fate.
Zaha could be in line for a hostile reception from his own support owing to his actions over the summer, but Hodgson urged Eagles fans to get behind their star man.
“You can’t control fans’ reactions. Fans will react in the way they feel they should react. Of course, I hope that they won’t get on Wilf’s back," said the former England boss.
“I hope they’ll be sympathetic to him. But whatever happens, Wilf will have to deal with that, just as he has had to deal with his disappointment over the last few days in the transfer window.
“I’m expecting him to be able to do those things. But it would be nice if our fans can draw a line under it and give him the support he needs.”
Though clubs in Europe can still add to their squads this summer, Hodgson is not expecting Zaha to make a move to a team on the continent.
Instead, the 72-year-old believes it is far more likely the Ivorian international will remain in England should he move on in January, with Hodgson expecting clubs again to target the 26-year-old.
“There is much more chance that he will go to a club in England than a club in Europe," added the ex-Liverpool boss.
“All the clubs here know how good he is and are capable of paying the transfer fee, and I’m not sure all the European ones can.
“January? Who knows? That’s a long, long way off. And if it starts again in January, we’ll get ready and deal with it again like we have dealt with it this time.”
