Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke has told his team-mates he let them down when he missed a key penalty in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last weekend.
The Belgium international ignored team instructions to take a late spot-kick at Selhurst Park instead of regular penalty taker Luka Milivojevic, who had already scored one in the 41st minute.
Benteke - who has failed to find the net in 12 appearances this season - has been the subject of much criticism since the incident but he is now keen to move on and try to break his goalscoring duck when they play Leicester on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports. "I spoke with the manager first to let him know what really happened, because I just wanted to clarify things with the TV and all of the media talking," he said.
"Then I spoke with the guys and I told them I don't feel sorry for myself, but that I let the team down because we are obviously battling relegation and every point counts for us.
"I said I will keep working hard for them and for myself. I just wanted to take my responsibility [with the penalty]. I don't feel sorry for myself - it happened. "There is no issue - it is football and it happens. We have to stick together no matter what. It is a tough time.
"As a striker you want to score, but I just work hard for the team and try to hold up the ball and play, and the goal will come.
"I don't ask a lot of questions of myself, I just accept it is a tough time and work hard and try to help the team. The goal will come."
Palace will travel to the King Power Stadium in confident mood having come from behind to beat Watford 2-1 in midweek, a result that leaves Roy Hodgson's side unbeaten in their last six matches.
But despite their recent upturn in fortune that briefly saw them climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, Benteke knows they have a long way to go to secure their Premier League survival. "We are far away from being safe," he said. "It will be a battle until the end. Now we are six games unbeaten and we go to Leicester with confidence.
"Watford was a team we felt we could beat and we did - now we can go to Leicester and try and get the three points. "I am determined. Last season I was playing not that good but scoring, this season I have played well but just can't score. I am really motivated though, because it is a challenge."
From SkySport
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