'It was fantastic to start against Portsmouth, it felt like my first game again,' Ruud told reporters. 'That is what I worked so hard for but I also have to be patient. I have been out for a while and I can feel it. I have been training with the first team squad for a week and a half but I know I am still missing a bit of timing, so now I just need games. At least I feel fresh and have got virtually a full game under my belt. Now I build on that performance and move on.'
Ruud is pleased with Rooney's form and is looking forward to Palace:
'Wayne is having a great season, for his age, he is a tremendous player and it is great to have someone like that on our side. Saturday is a really big game for us. We want to close the gap on Chelsea to three points, but we also want a good result to lift confidence before we go to Milan.'