RETURNING skipper Simon Francis believes the pressure is on relegation-threatened Crystal Palace and insists Cherries are ready to stand up to a physical onslaught.

While Eddie Howe's side sit in the relative comfort of 12th in the Premier League, Palace have slipped into the drop zone under Sam Allardyce and are two points from safety.

The south London side are yet to win since Allardyce's appointment before Christmas and defender Francis – available following a three-match ban – is determined to keep that run going at Vitality Stadium tomorrow night.

He told the Daily Echo: "I think Sam Allardyce will look at recent results and think we are a team that physically they can attempt to bully.

"But we don't really look at games in terms of what the opposition expect from us. We have to look at their weaknesses and how we can exploit them.

"As a defender, I look forward to these kind of games. You know you are going to have to defend, be good in the air and strong on set-plays.

"It's great when you play against footballing teams and see who can come out on top but in these kind of games it's a battle which we have to win first before we can get the ball down and play.

"We have to show our mental strength. Having conceded goals from set-plays and crosses recently, this is a game where we have to be bang on it.

"I'd say the pressure is on them as they have to start picking up wins. At the same time, it's a huge game for us.

"They are down there and a win for us would be massive because it would then be such a big gap. We go into the game confident we can get something from it."

He might last year have endured an ill-fated stint as England manager but Allardyce has vast experience in the top flight having bossed the likes of Sunderland, West Ham, Blackburn, Newcastle and Bolton.

And Francis feels the 62-year-old has the know-how to guide the Eagles to safety.

He said: "I think they have too much quality – the wage bill they have, the players they are paying.

"Once he gets them familiar with his style of play, I think they will have more than enough to stay in the division. Having said that, hopefully, we will win on Tuesday."

Francis added: "Sam Allardyce has always been successful with the teams he has managed in the Premier League, whether he has been trying to keep them in the league or do better than that.

"While he hasn't got off to the start he would have wanted (at Selhurst Park), we know the kind of game we're in for.

"I know what's in my mind – we are unbeaten against Crystal Palace in the Premier League so that is huge motivation for us. Can we keep that going and beat them?"