Tony Pulis has paid tribute to Thomas Ince, after the England Under-21 forward pledged to help Crystal Palace for the rest of the season.
Ince signed on loan from Blackpool on transfer deadline day last week and is in line to make his Premier League debut for the Eagles against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
And Palace boss Pulis has praised the attitude of the 22-year-old, who was rumoured to have attracted the interest of Stoke City, Swansea City and former club Liverpool.
Ince in action against Lithuania this season.
"He showed a lot a character by coming to the toughest club on offer, one that needs results," said Pulis.
"How did I sell it to him? Just that we needed players like him to come in and help us to achieve something which people said at the beginning of the season could never be achieved.
"That's a lovely challenge for someone."
Former Liverpool youngster Ince has been one of the Championship’s top players over the last few years and, until recently, was working under his father Paul at Bloomfield Road.
But once Ince senior had been relieved of his duties there last month, the likelihood of a move away increased.
With a number of options reportedly on the table in January, Ince opted to make a loan move to Selhurst Park and with his Blackpool contract due to expire in the summer, it’s a good chance for him to shine in the top flight.
"It's credit to him,” added Pulis. “I am sure he would have spoken to his dad about it.
Ince speaks to TheFA.com earlier this season.
"But the big thing that impressed is me is that I remember I spoke with Tom once at a game at Bolton. Him and his dad were there, that was about two years ago.
"That was the only previous time I had spoken to Tom before we met the other day. I was very impressed with him, irrespective of his footballing ability.
"He's a very grounded lad. He knows where he wants to go.
"I think his dad and his mum deserve a lot of credit for the way he acts and the way he is. Tom is a determined lad and he wants to be successful which is really what we need.”
Ince will be hoping to be picked for England Under-21s’ next game on Wednesday 5 March, when they face Wales at Derby County’s iPro Stadium.
Tickets for the game are priced at just £10 for Adults and £5 for U18s. These can be purchased in person from the Digonex Ticket Office, by calling 0871 472 1884 (option 1) or by visiting WeAreDerby.com.
