Crystal Palace striker Kwesi Appiah received a vote of confidence after being thrown in at the deep end while on loan at AFC Wimbledon.

The 23-year-old, on loan at the Cherry Red Records stadium until the end of the season, was on the bench for the League Two trip to Mansfield Town on Saturday.

However, an injury inside 15 minutes forced the Dons boss Neal Ardley into a rethink, and Appiah - who scored 10 goals in 14 Cambridge United appearances earlier this season - was thrust into to the action way ahead of schedule.

However, Ardley was full of praise for the former Margate man saying: "Kwesi showed he has some nice touches, and he had no fear in front of goal.

"The reason he was not in from the start si that he had been out for a time and he was getting over a niggle.

"But when Darren [Jones] was forced off, Kwesi was the best option for us."

He added: "The plan was to give Kwesi game time on Saturday, albeit not 75 minutes worth, and then work him hard this week and get him in contention for Saturday.

"After his performance on Saturday, he certainly is in contention."