Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says Watford’s players are lucky to work under Quique Sanchez Flores who he describes as a gentleman.

The Spaniard has earned plenty of admiration since taking charge at Vicarage Road in the summer due to the Hornets’ impressive Premier League form and his relaxed demeanour.

Flores takes his side to Palace tomorrow and will be warmly received by Pardew.

"I'm a fan of the manager (Sanchez Flores). I think he's a gentleman," the Eagles boss said ahead of the contest.

"He's gone around his business in a very professional manner. He has a great CV and he was a great signing by Watford. 

"The players follow great managers so the players are lucky in my opinion to have him and he's also lucky to have a good set of players there, good leadership.

"There’s a lot of foreign personnel there and to keep that spirit Watford have come up with is not easy and they've done that very well."

Pardew expects to again have Dwight Gayle available for selection after a hamstring injury and Connor Wickham after suspension.

But he does not expect Yannick Bolasie or Bakary Sako to return until next week against Tottenham Hotspur.