Fryers delighted to back in the Premier League with Crystal Palace
Zeki Fryers admitted he was delighted to play his part as he made his long-awaited return to the Premier League in a Crystal Palace shirt this weekend.
Despite joining the Eagles back in 2014, defender Fryers has found first team opportunities hard to come by and ahead of this weekend his last Premier League appearance was on 21st September 2014.
But after loan spells with Rotherham and Ipswich, Fryers was back in the Premier League with Crystal Palace on Saturday as they visited Sunderland.
And the 24-year-old former Tottenham full-back made sure to leave his mark, coming on in the 74th minute and almost immediately setting up James McArthur for the equaliser after the Eagles had trailed the Black Cats 2-0 on the hour mark.
Crystal Palace went on to score a dramatic 90th-minute winner through Christian Benteke and Fryers was happy to have played his part.
“Yes it is a great feeling and I am buzzing for the team, I was on the bench looking at the game and obviously things were not going well having conceded the goals and then the gaffer said to me I was coming on and it was just good to get the chance to get out on the pitch and play my part,” said Fryers, who started his career with Manchester United.
“The instruction was to get forward and get some crosses in and my first opportunity I was able to get past the man and get the cross into the box and of course we scored our second goal from that.
“Looking back I have been out on loan quite a bit, had some bad luck with injuries but then this opportunity came along and I was pleased with how I did.
“When you don’t get the break you have to just keep your head down, work hard and wait for your opportunity to help the team so was pleased to get the chance.
“After pre-season it was looking good for me as I had some games, played OK but then a groin injury came at the wrong time, I got back from injury and kept at it and delighted that I was called upon in this one and it’s a great result for the team.”
