LONDON • Alan Pardew insists on-loan forward Patrick Bamford was given "every chance" to make an impact during his loan spell at Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old has returned to Chelsea after failing to hit the target in nine appearances for the Eagles, and after Monday's goalless draw with Swansea, he said that his five months with Palace had been "terrible".

Bamford - who had only two League Cup starts at Palace - later retracted his comments, apologising and adding: "I couldn't have been at a nicer club. I'm just disappointed I couldn't do more for the team."

Pardew has accepted the apology and said: "Patrick made a slight error after the game. He was a little emotional. He has addressed that and I appreciate it.

"We have been getting fantastic results, so his chances have been limited. We kept winning and you have to keep the balance. It is as simple as that."

Pardew, though, insists Bamford has a future in the Premier League.

"He knows this is a little bit of a step up from the Championship where he played for Middlesbrough last season, but there is nothing to suggest he can't make that step up," he said.

Palace stunned Chelsea with a 2-1 victory in August, but Pardew believes completing the double over the Blues is unlikely.

"Chelsea looked a bit more stable and assured against Manchester United, so they are favourites for this game," he said.

"Having said that, we are difficult to play at home at the moment."

THE GUARDIAN

CRYSTAL PALACE V CHELSEA

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