Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson wants American owners to make significant January transfer funds available

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Roy Hodgson is hoping that Joshua Harris and David Blitzer can be persuaded to spend more heavily in the January transfer window.

The Eagles have a heavy injury list and lost another player during Monday’s 1-1 draw with Brighton as makeshift left-back Jairo Riedewald was forced off at the break.

Hodgson also confirmed that Gary Cahill and Andros Townsend are both “long term” injuries. The former has had surgery.

Blitzer, Harris and chairman Steve Parish are majority shareholders in the Premier League club.

Asked if the succession of selection setbacks made adding players in the January transfer window more of a priority, the Eagles boss replied: “Is that a serious question? I’m trying to persuade the American owners, in particular, that this is something we really need to do.

“I thought we needed to do it in the summer but we didn’t succeed in getting the ones who were necessary to improve our squad. Nothing has changed – it’s still the same positions and areas I’m talking about that I’d like to see improved upon.

“Steve [Parish] and Doug Freedman are very much on board with that, so I’m hoping between us and the American owners we will find some way to release some money because I don’t think I’ll be able to bring in the quality of players I need to improve our squad on free transfers and loans.”

Wilfried Zaha – linked with Chelsea – scored the leveller against the Seagulls.

Inevitably there will be speculation again about his future.

“My only solace with Wilf is that he has a three-and-a-half-year contract and as far as I’m aware the club is in no desperate need to sell him,” said Hodgson.

“I’m delighted to be working with Wilf but when transfer windows come around one can never say exactly what is going to happen.

“I will have to adjust, as will the club, to whatever comes our way.”