Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew backs misfiring Christian Benteke to return to form after more penalty misery

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes Christian Benteke remains the right player to take penalties ahead of their Premier League game with Leicester on Saturday.

The 25-year-old striker missed a crucial penalty in the 1-0 defeat against West Ham last weekend - his second miss from the spot this season.

The Eagles manager sat down with Benteke after the defeat and, while he subsequently decided to keep the Belgian on penalty duty, he warned he has to make sure he scores his next spot-kick.

"We had some conflicting opinions on the penalty which you would do," Pardew said.

"I have great faith in him. I think it is important that your striker continues to score goals. I have always encouraged my centre forward to take penalties and there is a reason for that.

"When they have a patch when they are not scoring and a penalty comes along, suddenly they can get their rhythm back

The Belgian striker endured a torrid time last season following his £32 million move from Aston Villa to Liverpool, often finding himself being ridiculed by opposition supporters.

But Pardew maintains history is not repeating itself for the powerful striker, insisting Benteke will soon return to form.

"Christian isn't in a hole at the moment but he just got it wrong. It happens.

"We have to accept it but he has to make sure he scores the next one."