Scott Dann is delighted to be back in action for Crystal Palace after missing games against Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion last month with a knee injury.

The defender was sidelined for three weeks after picking up the injury in the Eagles’ 2-0 defeat at Hull City on October 4 but was back in the team against Sunderland last Monday.

Although Dann’s return to the side has not been a happy one in terms of results – Neil Warnock’s side have lost to the Black cats and Manchester United – the centre back is happy to be once again marshalling the Palace defence.

“I didn’t do much for three weeks but it’s nice to come back into the team and we have just got to keep improving,” he said.

“The injury is fine for me.

“I would have liked to have got back a bit sooner but now I’m fine.”

After arriving at Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers last January, Dann helped the Eagles keep five clean sheets as they surged to Premier League survival under Tony Pulis.

Such defensive solidity was one of the hallmarks of the Eagles’ success last season and Dann believes his side went some way towards returning to that form at Old Trafford, despite suffering a cruel defeat courtesy of a deflected second half Juan Mata strike.

“We got back to the resoluteness we had from last season and at the start of this one,” said the defender.

“I think we will improve and there are positives to take from Old Trafford.

“We got back to being solid and resolute.

“That was good to see and maybe we just didn’t have that cutting edge further up the pitch.

“We’ll look at that and look to improve. We know we have tough games to come and we need to make sure now we’re ready for Liverpool in a couple of weeks’ time.”

The former Birmingham City defender’s main frustration on Saturday, however, was that ultimately he and his team-mates had nothing to show for their considerable defensive efforts.

“Even though United had a lot of the ball, they didn’t have chances,” said the 27-year-old.

“That’s the most disappointing thing - you defend so well as a team and still come away with a defeat.

“Juan Mata produced that half a yard on the edge of the box.

“Maybe someone could have got out to shut him down, but on the whole it was a good defensive performance.”

The Eagles’ starting line-up at Manchester United included four changes from the Sunderland game with Adrian Mariappa, James McArthur, Damien Delaney and Jason Puncheon all coming into the side.

Dann was quick to praise the contributions of his deputising team-mates and talked up the quality of Palace’s squad as they prepare for a busy run of fixtures after the international break.

“We have got some really good players here who can come in,” he added.

“People have to stand up and stake a claim to stay in the team.

“That’s down to the manager but the lads who have come in and given a good account of themselves.

“I think the best thing for us is having everyone fit and fighting for places.

“That will only show on the pitch with all the hard work that goes in at the training ground.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt