Pierre Sage has urged Crystal Palace loanee Evann Guessand to follow the example set by Dwight McNeil after both players were excluded from last weekend’s matchday squad.The Palace boss criticised the pair’s work ethic and said they needed to be ‘shaken’ when explaining the decision to leave them out of the 3-2 win against Fulham.Sage has since been impressed with McNeil’s response and rewarded him with 15 minutes in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Middlesbrough.However, the tough love has yet to have the same impact on Guessand, who is on loan from Aston Villa, with the Ivorian performing below his level in training.’He hasn’t responded at the level I expect,’ Sage said with a deep sigh before Saturday’s match against Ipswich Town. ‘He mentioned he was injured at the end of the warm-up for the game on Tuesday, that’s why he didn’t go on the pitch.’I have to speak to him because we need to find a solution. We need to see the best version of him. Pierre Sage has been unimpressed with Evann Guessand’s start to his second stint at Crystal Palace Dwight McNeil, though, has taken Sage’s criticism on board after a subpar performance in 4-1 defeat against Manchester City’I watched him in France for Nice and Nantes and he’s able to do more than he’s given us which is why I am really demanding of him. Sometimes it takes time but at the end everybody will win.’Dwight’s 15 minutes on Tuesday were much better than the minutes against Manchester City and in every session he showed us that he wanted to play. That’s a good message and I have received his message.’Sage also said Adam Wharton’s slow start to the season reflects his high standards, revealing he demands more from him than most of his teammates because he can become one of the world’s best midfielders.’My main objective with him is to get him a step higher than he is today. That’s why maybe he is in a period where things are not stable.’In a few games, it will be better. I had a good conversation with him in pre-season where I set his objectives really high and will push him to reach them. ‘I’m really confident because he’s a smart player, he understands the play and the importance of training well every day.’He is in the learning process. Everybody knows him as a wonderful player but he can be more than wonderful.’There’s a gap in his potential and he can play better than he has played. He played really good but he can become recognised all over the world.’