TRANSFER deadline day is almost upon us but, so far in January, Crystal Palace have been frustrated in their pursuit of reinforcements.
However, if the summer's experience is anything to go by, it could be a busy few days at the Eagles' Beckenham training ground, as Palace look to bolster their squad for the Premier League run-in.
Here, the Advertiser profiles six players who may be on manager Tony Pulis' shopping list, between now and 11pm on Friday.
Peter Crouch Played under Pulis at Stoke and would come with a great pedigree, including 42 caps (and 22 goals) for England and regular appearances in the Champions League with Liverpool and Spurs. About to turn 33, the board may be reluctant to spend money on a player in the twilight of his career, but Crouch could be just the focal point Palace's attack needs. Abbie Clancy will surely be tempted by the delights of the Whitgift Centre too?Jordan Rhodes Arguably more of a gamble than Crouch and certainly will be more expensive, yet the Scottish international could be an attractive short and long-term option for the Palace hierarchy. A record of 130 goals in 219 games for Huddersfield and Blackburn suggests this is a striker that guarantees goals, but the 23-year-old has done all his scoring so far in the second and third tiers. With Dwight Gayle already at the club, Pulis may prefer a finished article rather than another rough diamond.Will Buckley Mischievous Eagles fans would welcome this purchase, almost purely for the grief and upset it would cause Brighton fans. Buckley is a highly-rated young talent and would probably only cost about £2m - cheap for a player infamously described as being better than Wilfried Zaha by former boss Gus Poyet. But his season so far has been injury-ravaged, plus Palace aren't exactly short of wingers.Scott Dann Palace have been pretty solid under Tony Pulis and, indeed, haven't shipped goals at any sort of alarming rate throughout their time in the division. Despite this, not all fans are comfortable with the veteran duo of Delaney and Gabbidon lasting a full season. With Adrian Mariappa being deployed more often at right-back and Paddy McCarthy still feeling his way back after a long lay-off, an experienced, solid centre-half like Dann would be a valuable addition. Word of warning though - he's been relegated twice from the Premier League already, with Birmingham and Blackburn. Potential to be the new Hermann Hriedarsson.Nicklas Bendtner The Dane and his ponytail arrived in Beckenham on the summer deadline day, and Bendtner looked set to sign for Palace - but Arsenal's failure to buy a striker scuppered that. Palace could go back in for him, and reunite the Dane with his old team-mate Marouane Chamakh, but Arsene Wenger could again be reluctant to sell, with Theo Walcott on the sidelines. Pulis might not fancy him either - certainly not as much as he fancies himself.Mo Diame Bit of a curveball, as he's the only name on this list that hasn't been linked at any point with a move to SE25. But Pulis likes powerful, athletic centre midfielders and he's evidently not 100 per cent satisfied with his engine room options (hence playing Joel Ward there). West Ham have just signed two new midfielders, so may be prepared to let the former Wigan man go. One from the left-field...Who would you like to see Palace sign before the deadline closes? Have your say below...
Peter Crouch Played under Pulis at Stoke and would come with a great pedigree, including 42 caps (and 22 goals) for England and regular appearances in the Champions League with Liverpool and Spurs. About to turn 33, the board may be reluctant to spend money on a player in the twilight of his career, but Crouch could be just the focal point Palace's attack needs. Abbie Clancy will surely be tempted by the delights of the Whitgift Centre too?Jordan Rhodes Arguably more of a gamble than Crouch and certainly will be more expensive, yet the Scottish international could be an attractive short and long-term option for the Palace hierarchy. A record of 130 goals in 219 games for Huddersfield and Blackburn suggests this is a striker that guarantees goals, but the 23-year-old has done all his scoring so far in the second and third tiers. With Dwight Gayle already at the club, Pulis may prefer a finished article rather than another rough diamond.Will Buckley Mischievous Eagles fans would welcome this purchase, almost purely for the grief and upset it would cause Brighton fans. Buckley is a highly-rated young talent and would probably only cost about £2m - cheap for a player infamously described as being better than Wilfried Zaha by former boss Gus Poyet. But his season so far has been injury-ravaged, plus Palace aren't exactly short of wingers.Scott Dann Palace have been pretty solid under Tony Pulis and, indeed, haven't shipped goals at any sort of alarming rate throughout their time in the division. Despite this, not all fans are comfortable with the veteran duo of Delaney and Gabbidon lasting a full season. With Adrian Mariappa being deployed more often at right-back and Paddy McCarthy still feeling his way back after a long lay-off, an experienced, solid centre-half like Dann would be a valuable addition. Word of warning though - he's been relegated twice from the Premier League already, with Birmingham and Blackburn. Potential to be the new Hermann Hriedarsson.Nicklas Bendtner The Dane and his ponytail arrived in Beckenham on the summer deadline day, and Bendtner looked set to sign for Palace - but Arsenal's failure to buy a striker scuppered that. Palace could go back in for him, and reunite the Dane with his old team-mate Marouane Chamakh, but Arsene Wenger could again be reluctant to sell, with Theo Walcott on the sidelines. Pulis might not fancy him either - certainly not as much as he fancies himself.Mo Diame Bit of a curveball, as he's the only name on this list that hasn't been linked at any point with a move to SE25. But Pulis likes powerful, athletic centre midfielders and he's evidently not 100 per cent satisfied with his engine room options (hence playing Joel Ward there). West Ham have just signed two new midfielders, so may be prepared to let the former Wigan man go. One from the left-field...Who would you like to see Palace sign before the deadline closes? Have your say below...
