If you hold Crystal Palace close to your heart, you may have heard of Brandon Pierrick.

The 18-year-old played seven minutes of Premier League action on New Year's Day against Norwich, as Roy Hodgson battled against an injury crisis which left him without a number of first-team players.

Then, the teenager made his first ever start for the Eagles in the 1-0 defeat to Derby in the FA Cup, providing a bright performance which saw him embark on a mesmeric dribble before testing the Rams glovesman in the early stages.

On his Premier League debut against Norwich, it was Pierrick's brave run through the heart of the Canaries' backline which saw him slip the ball to Wilfried Zaha, who crossed for Connor Wickham to smash home.

The academy graduate certainly justified his presence out on the pitch and most definitely did not look out of place.

However, since Hodgson's first-teamers returned to action, Pierrick has disappeared.

The youngster has found himself out of the former England manager's 18-man squad for the last two games against Sheffield United and Everton, as the likes of Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke and Max Meyer returned to full fitness.

Given how well he played on his Premier League debut against Norwich, Pierrick can feel hard done by that he is not at least still involved in the Eagles' matchday squads - that is the very least he deserves for his efforts.

Imagine if Joel Ward had returned from injury quicker and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was promptly sidelined once again?

Pierrick showed flashes of his creativity and desire, so given the south Londoners' quite awful attacking numbers so far this term - they are the division's lowest scorers and have had the least shots on target - it is harsh of Hodgson to be so quick to thrust the youngster back from whence he came despite his help during a tough time for the squad from a fitness sense.

Let's just hope the former Liverpool boss gets him back involved soon - it's the least he deserves.

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