Crystal Palace manager comments on link to QPR keeper – and also talks about difficulty of Covid-hit January transfer window

Roy Hodgson is not expecting this transfer window to be a big one for Premier League clubs due to the effects of Covid-19 on the football industry.

The vast majority of matches since March have been played behind closed doors with the country now back under national lockdown.

Hodgson had already stated he needs players to move on if he was going to do any major business.

The Crystal Palace boss has seen his options depleted by Jeffrey Schlupp.

“I don’t think there was any area before the injuries. The injury to Jeff casts a different complexion on things at the moment.

“This will be a very difficult January transfer window. I don’t think, quite frankly, there are many clubs out there with lots and lots of money to spend – because Covid has hit every club very, very hard.

“Premier League clubs are all losing money because we can’t have any spectators in the grounds.

“I’d be surprised if it was a transfer market with lots and lots of players changing hands. And certainly we made a big investment in the summer with Eze. I’m not certain that sort of money will be available again in January, so that puts you in the market where everybody seems to be – if there is a player available on a loan who is going to make you a lot better then I’m sure a lot of clubs will be interested in him. But that’s going to be a difficult market as well because there are going to be so many clubs looking for those type of players – free transfers or loans – because they won’t have the money to go and splash it.”

Palace were linked this week with QPR keeper Seny Dieng.

But Hodgson has made clear that there is no opening in his first-team squad in that area.

“The scouting department and Doug Freedman are keeping an eye on good players for the future,” he said.

“To be frank, there might be some interest in this goalkeper – but it’s not one we’re discussing at the moment to join our first-team squad because we have three extremely good goalkeepers. Hennessey is recovering from injury and won’t be out for so much longer, we signed Jack Butland and we’ve got Vicente Guaita.

“It’s pretty obvious that any goalkeeper coming in at the moment would not be signed to play in the first team.”