Hiram Boateng impresses in pre-season

Two games into the Eagles' pre-season tour of the US and Canada and there are some new kids on the block but none has impressed like Ghanaian youngster Hiram Boateng.

Hiram Boateng and Sullay Kaikai are names well known to the Palace faithful, both players having made their Premier League debuts last season in between successful loan spells at Plymouth and Shrewsbury respectively.

Boateng helped Plymouth reach the League Two play-off final where they lost to AFC Wimbledon, while Kaikai finished Shrewsbury's top scorer with 12 goals, winning League One PFA Fans' Player of the Month award in October 2015.

Both youngsters are competing with some heavyweights for the competition for places but look unfazed by the challenge ahead to break into Pardew's first-team plans, and this could spell trouble for those who have been ahead in the pecking order.

Despite his wonder goal on Saturday against FC Cincinnati, Jordon Mutch will no doubt be feeling the pressure as Boateng has been arguably the standout Eagles performer in pre-season so far.

The performances will no doubt also be worrying the likes of Mile Jedinak, Jason Puncheon, Joe Ledley and James McArthur too as Boateng goes from strength to strength in the two games.