Ward confident Crystal Palace will challenge for Europe

Joel Ward says Crystal Palace are in a perfect position to challenge for a European spot at the halfway stage of the Premier League season.

Palace are unbeaten in six after Monday’s goalless draw with struggling Swansea and sit fifth in the table approaching the turn of the year.

Now defender Ward believes the Eagles have what it takes to stay the course, despite missing out on craved victories in consecutive goalless draws against Bournemouth and Swansea.

“We would have taken 31 points at this stage at the start of the season, but as a club we want to keep pushing on,” he told Palace’s official club website.

“We’re on a great run at the moment and it would have been nice to get three points to give us a push up the league. But we’ll take the positives and go into the new year in high spirits and look to build on what we’ve done.”

Patrick Bamford missed a gilt-edged chance to hand Palace victory on Monday, in what proved his final turn for the club.

The on-loan Chelsea striker told Eagles bosses he will return to his parent club directly after his ninth appearance for Alan Pardew’s side.

Palace are likely to weigh up bolstering both defence and attack in the January transfer window, especially with key threat Yannick Bolasie missing for all-but three months with hip trouble.

Ward admitted Palace lacked the vital killer instinct in failing to see off Swansea, but remained unfazed by a frustrating day for the Eagles.

“The only thing that was missing was the goal because we had a lot of possession and managed to get in the final third enough times,” Ward said.

“It was just the final ball that was letting us down and we couldn’t find the back of the net.”