Kaikai ready to fill Bolasie’s boots

Crystal Palace might be about to cash in on Yannick Bolasie but 20-year-old Sullay Kaikai is confident he can step into the breach.

Everton are reportedly on the verge of snapping up Bolasie for £28million, opening up a spot on the wing for Alan Pardew’s side.

And Kaikai, who impressed on loan at Shrewsbury last term, believes he can build on his Premier League debut in last season’s final game against Southampton.

“I’m confident in my ability and it’s down to the manager and the staff,” said Kaikai, who could feature in the season opener against West Brom.

“I need to earn the manager’s trust and repay him on the pitch, so when that chance comes I need to be ready to take it.

“I’m desperate to be in the squad for West Brom on Saturday and I will be training hard in the week to be in contention for that, so we’ll see what happens.”

(Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

While Bolasie appears to be on his way, Kaikai won’t be short of wingers to turn to, with another prodigious talent in Wilfried Zaha, his inspiration.

“I’m taking advice from all the wingers – we have some really good wingers at the club – so I’m listening and learning, and also adapting my game to cope with the Premier League demands,” said Kaikai.

“It’s good to train with these guys and to see the intensity they train at. They’re so intelligent, so to learn off them every day is good.

“I would say I would look to do what Wilfried Zaha does; coming in off the line and running players.

“It is something I need to work harder on, getting down the line and crossing the ball. It’s about continuing to train hard and seeing where that gets me in the next couple of weeks.

“I know I’m going to be competing hard to make sure I’m hopefully involved on Saturday.”