Crystal Palace will miss Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak when he goes on Asian Cup duty

MILE Jedinak has become so integral to the Crystal Palace EPL survival cause that his impending absence for the Asian Cup has manager Neil Warnock worried.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Mile Jedinak (R) of Crystal Palace and his teammates applaud the travelling fans following their team's 3-2 victory during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on September 21, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

MILE Jedinak has become so integral to the Crystal Palace Premier League survival cause that his impending four-week absence for the Asian Cup is already being lamented by manager Neil Warnock.

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The 30-year-old Socceroos skipper, who has scored twice in the last two weeks as Palace have surged up to ninth on the EPL table, has been inspirational in helping to stabalise the club after the tumultuous events of earlier in the season had them among the favourites to be relegated.

Palace have started to come around after a sluggish start - and the shock of former manager Tony Pulis’s departure. They have looked good in winning their last two games over Everton and Leicester City, particularly with Jedinak marauding forward from midfield to offer an extra dimension to their attack, and Warnock knows he needs to make the next three months count before his departure.

Mile Jedinak has become indispensable for both club and country.

The tournament begins on January 9, and if the Socceroos make it right through to the final on January 31 then Jedinak will likely miss games against Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley and Everton.

So Warnock is determined to make the next 14 games count and pull Palace as far away from potential trouble as possible.

“We will miss him,” Warnock said.

“He is the leader of the camp. Everything on and off the field revolves around him.

“There is the Africa Cup of Nations at about the same time, too, so it will be difficult for a lot of teams in the Premier League in January and February.

“Mile has been able to push forward more than usual this season, too, and I think he can score more goals.”

Palace will be looking to continue their good form this weekend when they travel to struggling Hull City.

Originally published as Crystal Palace will miss Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak when he goes on Asian Cup duty