Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has praised the professionalism of winger Andros Townsend.

The Englishman has won his place back in Hodgson's starting line-up after a tough start to the campaign.

"Andros is an honest person, you see that in the way he plays, his game is honesty personified," said the Palace manager.

"He is never hiding or trying to avoid the side of the game which he perhaps doesn't enjoy so much like some players do when they play he is always out there trying to do his best for the team and himself.

"I am lucky in the sense that he has got a mirror which he can look in from time to time and evaluate his own performance. He is not one of those who, whether he plays well or badly, comes off thinking, 'I'm a genius'. He is a player who will come off after a poor game and admit it.

"Earlier on in the season I didn't think he was playing anywhere near as well as he should be and with a guy like Jeff Schlupp knocking on the door I thought it was the right time to put him in and give him a chance.

"Andros took that on the chin, he has fought back and got himself back into the team and in the game against Liverpool in particular really helped us to a good performance."