Joe Ledley is relishing a return to Wales this weekend when Crystal Palace visit Swansea in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old spent the majority of his career at Cardiff where he became a fan favourite before leaving to join Celtic in 2010. 

And Ledley is looking forward to going back home when Neil Warnock’s side visit Cardiff’s arch rivals Swansea, who lie seventh in the table just one point adrift of a Champions League place.

“It’s good to go back to Wales,” the midfielder said. 

“They’re rivals and I will get a bit of stick from the fans, but I look forward to it and it’s going to be a good game.

“They’re doing brilliantly this season and hopefully we can match them and get some points.”

Ledley scored his first goal of the season for Palace in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Liverpool, a result which moved them out of the relegation zone.

The Welsh midfielder converted Yannick Bolasie’s low cross in the 78th minute to give his team the lead at Selhurst Park after they initially trailed to Rickie Lambert’s early goal.

It was Bolasie’s second assist of the day as he ran the Liverpool defence ragged and Ledley hopes the winger can produce more of the same in weeks to come.

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Dwight Gayle congratulates Ledley

Bolasie left Dejan Lovren for dead on the right wing before cutting the ball back low for Ledley to slide a shot past keeper Simon Mignolet.

Lesley described the Palace winger’s play as “brilliant”.

He added: “I saw Yannick go down the wing and managed to lose my man and get into the box. 

“It was a great ball from him and great vision and I managed to slot it home.

“That is what he is capable of doing and if he can continue to do that for us then he will get us more goals because his all-round game was great.”

The win for Palace over Liverpool on Sunday was their first since September 27 against Leicester and it ended a two-game losing run.

Ledley said: “We have been unlucky in the last few games. 

“We should have got a point against Manchester United and we were 2-0 up against West Brom and drew 2-2.

“To get a win like this is brilliant and I think we deserved it.

“I thought it was a fantastic game and we just need to continue this form now and pick up points.”

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