Day 17 of you Crystal Palace Calendar sees us looking at Christian Benteke.

Crystal Palace fans were very outspoken about their striker in the early part of the season. Calling for him to be dropped and for Roy Hodgson to dip in to the club’s coffers and find a replacement.

Roy Hodgson did dip in to his pockets by bringing in Alexander Sorloth and Jordan Ayew to supply competition to the ‘struggling’ Benteke.

Then injury struck Benteke four games into the season and Hodgson was left with the twice relegated Ayew and inexperienced Dane Sorloth as his only strike options.

Oh, what Palace fans would do to have the Belgian available for selection now!

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The best thing to come out of Benteke’s long standing knee injury is the realisation of his worth to the side, he won’t get you 25 goals a season but he’s a leader of the line.

With just three goals last season he was never a big goal scorer, but what he allowed the stars of the side, Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Ruben Loftus-Cheek when he was here, he allowed them to shine without the pressure of having to drag the team up the pitch.

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When Palace fail to score, Benteke was often the scapegoat because of his £27million price tag. Now Palace fans are looking around the side pointing fingers elsewhere, Zaha, Townsend, and Luka Milivojevic all coming in for some stick.

It’s clear to see from Zaha’s on-pitch demeanour he’s getting frustrated having to be the last man with little support around him. Townsend’s game has altered also, now with no further playing forward he’s shooting far more frequently and from distance (with little luck).

As much as I’m sure Benteke doesn’t want to be injured, I’m sure he’s happy with how the injury has showcased his value to the team.

Benteke is expected to return to action in the next week or so and he must be licking his lips waiting to come back in to the side knowing fans will now have a little patience with him.