Boateng dared to prove his worth at Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann has urged young midfielder Hiram Boateng to grab his chance of staking a claim to the first team following the youngster’s Premier League debut on Saturday.

A number of first team absentees had forced the 20-year-old into the Eagles’ travelling party for the clash with Swansea, and coach Alan Pardew didn’t hesitate to throw the London-born in at the deep end when his side needed some fresh legs in the second-half at the Liberty Stadium.

“That was his first game for us since I’ve been at the club,” Dann told Croydon Advertiser.

“He’s a great lad and he’s been out on loan, but we’ve been a bit short on numbers.

“Hiram has shown signs in training and the gaffer has shown a bit of confidence to put him on, because he could have put someone else on easily.

“It’s up to Hiram now to kick on and try and get on the pitch again.”

Born to Ghanaian parents in the UK, Boateng joined Palace as an eight-year-old, and is currently tied down to a deal which keeps him at the club until 2017.

He made his senior debut in an FA Cup third-round replay against Stoke City in January 2013, and has since gone on to have loan spells at lower tier sides Crawley Town and Plymouth Argyle.

The midfielder is yet to represent Ghana or England at any level.