Hughes has started every game under the new manager and has become undroppable alongside highly-rated youngster Adam Wharton in midfield. For a player whose contract was supposed to come to an end in the summer, Hughes has played in 31 matches across all competitions and an extension was the natural reward for such hard work in the face of uncertainty.

The 29-year-old joined Palace from Watford in 2021 and has steadily worked his way up. For Ward, he's been at the club since 2012 and was on his way out before the club decided he deserved at least another year.

The news of the new contract extensions for the duo is a massive boost to the squad who are preparing for the Premier League game against Manchester United on Monday night.

The Eagles are one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League at the moment, going four games without a defeat including winning three of them and narrowly being held to a draw by Fulham the other weekend.

They have also wasted little time in taking to the brand of football former Wolfsburg manager Oliver Glasner has introduced since he took over from Roy Hodgson in February with exciting players like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze back to their brilliant best.

United will arrive at Selhurst looking for a win that boosts their chances of securing Europa League football after being held to a draw by relegation-threatened Burnley.