Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has joked that he hopes Raheem Sterling has a bad game for Manchester City this weekend as a thank you for giving him his break in international football.
Pep Guardiola's side take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park on Saturday looking to reduce the gap to Liverpool to five points and return to winning ways.
Having lost to Wolves before the international break, City are desperate to reduce the arrears at the top of the Premier League table, with Liverpool not in action until their Sunday trip to Manchester United.
Now a key figure in the England side, Sterling has registered 13 goals in 15 appearances for club and country and continues to prove himself as one of the Premier League's best players.
Ahead of the game, Hodgson, who handed Sterling his international debut at the age of 17, is hoping the City star, fresh from a brace against Bulgaria on Monday, will go easy on Palace at the weekend.
Hodgson said: "He was always a fantastic midfielder, a very hard worker, made good runs most of the time. I remember in Switzerland, he played in behind the front players, like he was for Liverpool, and he was quite outstanding.
"The criticism levelled at him was much to my displeasure and the attention he was getting elsewhere from social media and sometimes the media itself was draining his confidence.
"I think the big thing for Raheem is there is no drain in his confidence, there is no doubt about his ability. Of course, he is playing in a team that is creating lots of chances so when he gets in the right areas he is able to score goals.
"On this subject too, I must add that his maturity as a person has been really fascinating to watch.
"All of the responsibility he has accepted and not just as a Manchester City player but shouldering a heavy burden with the racism and the attention that is being paid to this racism problem that we have.
"He has been a brilliant spokesperson. I heap praise on him in the hope he will repay me by playing very badly."
Palace head into the game having beaten London rivals West Ham United prior to the two-week break.
