At the start of the 2013–14 season, Abdou found himself on the substitute bench under the new management of Steve Lomas. By September, he regained his first team place, playing in the midfield position. His return performance received praises by Manager Lomas, saying: "He is a better player than he is given him credit for and he can pass the ball. I keep hearing people say he can’t pass the ball. I watch him in training every day and he can pass the ball. He has bided his time, got in the team and like I’ve said to the lads when you are in the team, keep the shirt." Abdou then set up a goal for Scott Malone to score the club's second goal of the game, in a 2–0 win over Leeds United on 28 September 2013. However, he was sent–off for a second bookable offence in the 85th minute, in a 1–1 draw against Reading on 26 October 2013. After sustaining from a groin injury, Abdou returned to the first team and started a number of matches from December and January. However, he soon lost his first team place following the new management of Ian Holloway and found himself in the substitute bench later in the season. Despite this, Abdou appeared in the four times first team under Holloway and finished the 2013–14 season, making twenty–seven appearances.