Yannick Bolasie expected to be in Crystal Palace line-up for opening game
Alan Pardew expects Yannick Bolasie to be in Crystal Palace's squad for their opening Premier League fixture on Saturday against West Brom.
The forward is reportedly on the verge of concluding a B#30million transfer to Everton, but his club manager has insisted he will be available for selection at Selhurst Park.
Pardew also revealed he plans to sign two new forwards as well as "some other positions", depending on "how that evolves".
Asked if Bolasie had been training, was in Palace's squad for the visit of the Baggies and in the right frame of mind, Pardew replied: "Yes. He's been great. He's been great."
Two of the summer departures from Palace have included Emmanuel Adebayor and Dwight Gayle, so it is perhaps little surprise Pardew believes he requires two forwards.
The 55-year-old also spoke of his belief a lack of squad depth had contributed much to Palace's poor run during the second half of last season, and said he intended on replacing any further players who may leave.
"I will be looking to sign two forwards and also some other positions," he said. "We will have to wait and see how that evolves.
"It was a positive (summer) for our club because we had Steve (Mandanda) and Yohan (Cabaye) in the final (of Euro 2016, with France).
"We had Jonny (Williams), Wayne (Hennessey) and Joe (Ledley) in the semi-finals. It was brilliant for us. We enjoyed watching it, the Welsh exploits: it was fantastic.
"They're going to take that confidence into the season. Why wouldn't you? It's going to be a big benefit for us. Our physio works for Wales too, so it was the perfect crossover."
Pardew is expected to hand new B#13million club-record signing Andros Townsend his competitive debut on Saturday. Fellow summer recruit James Tomkins is expected to miss out owing to a hamstring injury, as is Steve Mandanda because of a lack of match-fitness.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis still has Saido Berahino available despite bids from the Eagles and Stoke being on the table.
James Morrison is still troubled by the hamstring injury he suffered in January which ruled him out for the end of last season while Chris Brunt is closing in on a return from a serious knee injury, having missed Euro 2016, but is not yet fit.
Matty Phillips could make his West Brom debut after signing from QPR for B#5.5million this summer but he remains the Baggies' only summer signing so far.
However, despite their transfer troubles, Pulis has vowed he will not quit the club.
Pulis, who walked away from Palace on the eve of the 2014-15 season after a disagreement in their transfer policy, said: "No, it's not a case of walking out or anything else.
"My aim is to try and get over the next two weeks five players in that will make a difference to this team.
"The players have been sat there waiting for new players to come in. They've worked incredibly hard here in the summer. They're a good group of lads.
"They're waiting as well, the important people at the football club are the players. They've been waiting for new faces."
Source: PAR
