JURGEN LOCADIA’S derby day experience with Albion was cut short for “tactical” reasons.

The £14 million Dutch striker returned to the starting line-up for the clash against Crystal Palace.

He was outnumbered as Palace took an early lead from a short corner routine, then played a part in Jose Izquierdo’s goal which reduced the arrears to 3-2 before Chris Hughton took him off at half-time and brought on Anthony Knockaert.

Hughton told The Argus: “It was just a tactical one. I just thought that it was an opportunity to introduce Anthony, who has been out (suspended) for five weeks.

“I thought we might just get a little bit more between the lines, the type of player he is, and I thought he did have an impact in that second half.

“He (Locadia) has to get used to the defensive side, but he is used to playing in a 4-3-3. He’s not a player that’s shy of work.”

Hughton admits Albion tried to take special measures to thwart Wilfried Zaha, who tapped in Palace’s opening goal and added the third with his first header in the Premier League.

“Yes, but that’s normal,” Hughton said. “There is no doubt he is an outstanding talent. Certainly, if you looked outside the top six, there are a couple that would come to mind that you would regard as the most special talents and he is right up there.

“But that would be no different to other teams we play and what other teams would do as well.”