Reece Hannam says Crystal Palace have made him feel wanted after being dumped by West Ham last year.

The defender has made the first team bench in recent weeks.

“[Being released] was tough," Hannam told the matchday programme, having made five senior Palace squads. “I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. When you're somewhere for so many years, it becomes a home where your family is.

“I came to Palace for two or three days and that's when we all went into lockdown, football got cancelled and it was so uncertain. I didn't know if I was going to get a contract because clubs were financially affected differently. It was all a bit upside down.

“Crystal Palace completely took me under their wing and treated me like I was one of their own players at that time, which was really helpful.

“[But] from March till September I just had to take it upon myself and question how hard I wanted a contract. I had to look myself in the mirror and put in the work because there was no one in front of me, no coaches in the park with me to be able to say: 'Come on, Reece, push yourself.'

“At West Ham I'd hardly played that season [19/20]. I was constantly going through little injuries, which was frustrating. As soon as Crystal Palace did give me a contract for a season, I was so happy someone had belief in me and had shown they trusted me.