Glasner praises 'fantastic' Andersen

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says Joachim Andersen is an integral part of his squad, ahead of the Eagles' Premier League match against West Ham on Sunday.

Andersen has been a mainstay of the Palace backline this season and has attracted interest from teams in the Premier League and Europe alike.

"I could see it from the first day that he is a fantastic player," said Glasner of the Denmark international.

"I think he feels good on the pitch, because otherwise you can't perform like he did at Liverpool. This gives him confidence.

"It's also difficult for him sometimes, because it was the first time [Nathaniel] Clyney played right of him and then, left, it was Marc Guehi for a long time of the season, then it was Chris Richards, now it's Jefferson Lerma, but Jeff Lerma will be out, so we have to find another player to play there.

"But this is also one of his biggest strengths, his leadership. He organises our defence, and also when we have the ball, in building up he's very confident in passing, and not just passing across or back, he's passing breaking lines. This helps us in the game.

"It's a team game, but he's a very important part of the team."