Palace boss hopes the force is not with rejuvenated Leeds

Palace go to Elland Road boasting a 14-match unbeaten run, while Neil Warnock’s Leeds have not won in seven league games.

However, uncertainty over the Whites’ future has been settled after a middle east-based private equity group finalised a deal to take over the club earlier this week.

Holloway said: “I love the way Neil manages and I love what he gets out of his teams, and now the club’s future has been sorted, hopefully that will give them the impetus to push on, but not until after this weekend.

“Neil was a manager long before I started and he has a fantastic CV of getting clubs promoted – I don’t think there is anyone better at it.”

Holloway has had run ins with Warnock, who managed Palace from 2007 to 2010, on the touchline but after the final whistle, he insists they are good friends.

“I remember when we’ve been in opposite dug outs and he has been shouting at the referee that I have been trying to affect the game by shouting at the linesman, but I don’t remember anyone affecting the game more than Neil,” Holloway said.

“I think he is an ex-referee so he gets frustrated because he knows a lot more than I do. But we always have a laugh after the game, he is a top man.”

Meanwhile, Palace’s man of the moment Wilfried Zaha has won the Football League Young Player of the Month for October.

The 20-year-old has burst onto the scene in recent months, culminating in his full England debut last week in the 4-2 friendly defeat in Sweden.

Zaha said: “A couple of the games we had were really tough but we had to keep going and I'm glad I managed to pop up with a couple of goals. I'm pleased with my goals because I had a drought for a while so it felt good to get on the score sheet."

He added: "It was also a great moment for me to be with England with all the top players. It was great to be with them and a great experience for me.”