YANNICK Bolasie may have to get used to being on the substitutes' bench throughout the season if boss Neil Warnock decides to utilise everyone in his squad more often.
The winger was dropped for the last game against Burnley but came on and put in a bright display in the second half.
Bolasie has been one of the first names on the teamsheets for the past two years but Warnock pointed out that his international duty may have cost him his place for arriving back too late.
That was not the winger's fault, after DR Congo played on the Wednesday and so Friday was the first opportunity to return to Palace's training ground.
Yet the boss believes Bolasie coming back 24 hours before a game slightly disrupted pre-match plans and tactics.
"It's a squad game," said Warnock.
"When you come back the day before a game and you haven't seen your team-mates for nearly two weeks, I think you have to expect the manager might not be pleased or what not.
"You just have to accept things and move on. He'll be important for the rest of the season.
"It's great to have competition. It's imperative that you've got the squad numbers that we've got now."
