John Oster gets new lease of life at Crystal Palace
FORMER Everton winger John Oster is enjoying a renaissance at Selhurst Park.
The 30-year-old Wales international was handed an initial six-month deal when he signed for Crystal Palace in August, after being released by Reading at the end of last season.
He has now cemented a place in Neil Warnock's line-up and his impressive recent displays in the Championship have earned him the offer of a new 18-month contract.
Oster has rarely held down a regular place at a host of former clubs and was barely used by Reading. But Warnock has converted him from a winger into a central midfielder.
He said: "It's not great when you've only got a six month deal, but I knew that when I came.
"I could have signed a two year deal somewhere else, but I wanted to prove that I'm worth a longer deal and I've done that.
"It's always good when a manager tells you that he wants you to stay longer at a club.
"It's not always easy coming to a new club, getting used to a new way of playing and a different system - it's been a bit of a change coming here and playing 4-3-3.
"I've been in and out of the side but now I'm playing more centrally I've really enjoyed it."
Warnock added: "I've given him one for another year because he deserves it. He's blossoming."
Oster joined Everton for ã1.5million from Grimsby in 1997, moving to Sunderland two years later.
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