Zaha misses Palace training – What does this mean for Everton?

Wilfried Zaha has not reported for team training with Crystal Palace on Transfer Deadline Day, according to Sky Sports News.

The want-away Palace forward did arrive at the club’s training ground, but has trained alone in the club’s gym, with the player now disillusioned and frustrated with the club.

Zaha has been left frustrated after the Eagles rejected several big-money bids from Everton for the 26-year old forward, who has now handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force a move through.

While reports have claimed that Everton are likely to return with another bid, there has been little to report on that today so far, and with time slipping by it is looking increasingly unlikely that the Toffees will land their man before the deadline.

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I apologise for pouring a little cold water on this story, but it isn’t a huge surprise that Zaha isn’t training today. Having arrived back from both the African Cup of Nations and his extended holidays later than most, Zaha wasn’t expected to feature in Palace’s opening fixture.

While training alone may seem like the player is on strike, it could equally be the case that Zaha was always going to train on his own and build his strength up while Roy Hodgson prepares the rest of his squad to face Everton on Saturday.

That being said, I hope it helps move the deal along. Everton are running out of time to make a move for Zaha and if the only player brought in on Deadline Day is Marcos Rojo, it will tinge the already great window for Everton with just a small level of disappointment at the very end.