Crystal Palace fan Ollie Thomas says the highlight of their League Cup victory at Fulham was Cheick Doucoure returning to action for the first time since January 2025.

Since being named as the Palace fan's player of the year in 2023, his maiden campaign at Selhurst Park, the 26-year-old has struggled with numerous injuries including a ruptured achilles and a meniscus tear.

"Obviously this isn't the same Doucoure - and it will take him a while to get up to speed - but the biggest compliment I can give him is that he didn't look out of place," said Ollie. "In the middle of the pitch, his profile is exactly what we have been missing this season.

"[Quinten] Timber has been good, but he is a little bit too aggressive. [Adam] Wharton needs cover with him because he is not especially physical. We don't have a true number six who can get the ball from deep and progress like Wharton but also win the ball back like Timber, but also sit further back like Will Hughes.

"We need an amalgamation of those players and Doucoure could be just that for the rest of the season. I don't want to put any pressure on him because it's his first minutes in almost two years, but if that can be this season, alongside Wharton, that could be perfect."