Hughes's press conference round-up

Alex McCarthy’s England call

"We’re delighted with that. I think he deserves it. He was instrumental at the back end of last year when I came in. Some of the saves he made were match-defining saves. That’s the sign of a top keeper, when you need him to step up and protect a result for you, and Alex did that on numerous occasions. He’s started in the same vein this season, and his form’s good. The next thing obviously is international recognition, so everyone is really pleased for him."

The Carabao Cup win at Brighton

"The guys that came in did a great job and put a real shift in, so from our point of view it’s been a good week in terms of confidence."

Visiting Crystal Palace

"They’re a very good side. Roy’s been there a decent amount of time and you start to see his imprint and mark on the team. Roy’s teams will always be very disciplined and well drilled, and he sprinkles good talent within the structure of what he wants. It’s a good mix and a well-balanced team."

Stopping Wilfried Zaha

"He looks comfortable in his surroundings. It’s difficult to stop him in full flight, because he has that technical ability. I think the key is stopping him getting the ball in the first place, but then when he is in possession you’ve just got to try to keep him away from the danger areas."

Team news

"We’re in good shape. The squad is pretty much fit and well. Danny Ings still has a bit of a problem with his foot – he’s got a real bad blister – but he trained today. We’ll see how that one goes, but for the most part everyone’s fit and available."

Rotating striking options

"I’m pleased with the options. They’re all different in their own way, so that gives me good options. Against different opponents and personnel, some of the strikers will be better served playing than others. I’ve got no problem circulating strikers. I think it’s sometimes the one position you can get actually gain a benefit from."

Austin’s first goal of the season

"Strikers need goals, it’s the food they thrive on. He came on late in the game and his energy was really high, with a real determination in his play. I think maybe just stepping out of the team and coming back helped him. Clearly he was in the right place for the right occasion and got us the winner, which he’s done on many occasions in his career."

On further players possibly going out on loan

"I don’t think so, if I’m honest. Sam McQueen’s gone out, so the likelihood of Matt Targett going out diminishes. That’s not going to happen. There may well be some interest in Fraser, which we’ll look at and Fraser will no doubt look at. He’s had a few opportunities that he didn’t feel were quite right for him, so we’ll see on that one, but other than that we’ll be very quiet."

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg's red card against Leicester

"He apologised for the sending off, but it was one of those things. He did get clipped just prior to it, then maybe thought it was still active and he could show he was impeded, but he got his timing wrong and he held his hands up. It’s not something we encourage the players to do, it was just a spur-of-the-moment football decision. He’s held his hands up and he understood that."