It is ‘very odd’ that Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard isn’t getting many opportunities to impress at this moment in time, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

The 24-year-old arrived at Selhurst Park from Celtic in the summer via an £18.5 million deal and made a fast start to life with his new club but appears to have slipped down the pecking order in recent weeks.

What is the latest news involving Edouard?

Edouard arrived at Palace with a sizeable reputation after registering 86 goals and providing 39 assists in 179 appearances for the Hoops, claiming three Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and three League Cups along the way.

And the former France Under-21 international made a big impression after scoring just 28 seconds into his debut against Tottenham Hotspur before adding a second in a memorable 3-0 victory.

However, Edouard has struggled to build on that initial success, adding just seven more goal contributions in his subsequent 21 Premier League appearances.

And manager Patrick Vieira now appears to have lost patience with the 6 foot 2 ace, reducing him to a fringe role.

In Palace’s last five games in all competitions, Edouard has only been awarded one minute of action, even failing to come off the substitute’s bench against Stoke City in the FA Cup when five changes are permitted.

What has Barclay said about Edouard?

He told GiveMeSport: “It is odd how he's not getting any kind of look in at the moment. I've been trying to find out what the deal is, and I've just been told that Vieira is favouring other players, but it does seem odd.

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“It's not so much odd that he's not starting because I guess he wasn't giving Vieira what he wanted, but to not bring him on at times when he's had the chance, he didn't come on in the FA Cup game when there's five subs available, it's very odd.

“I don't really have any insight on why that is; I imagine it's frustrating for him at the moment.”

Could Edouard force his way into the starting XI?

Jean-Philippe Mateta seems to have become the first-choice striker since Edouard’s demise, starting on three occasions in the last five fixtures, but Vieira even opted to line up without a natural forward in the draw against Burnley.

Who the 45-year-old tactician chooses to lead the line against Manchester City this evening will be intriguing, though, as Edouard started on the left-wing in the 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium back in October.

The versatile star will surely be hoping to receive another opportunity to impress as soon as possible and his previous showing against the Cityzens could work in his favour.