Crystal Palace offer escape route to Stoke City exile

Crystal Palace could be set to launch a shock bid for Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones after relations between the player and his current employers reached an impasse.

The Trinidadian striker is said to be seeking a move away from the Britannia after making himself unavailable for the Potters’ recent league clash with Liverpool, amid rumours that Everton were lining up a bid for the 29-year-old.

Manager Mark Hughes subsequently confirmed the reports and added that Jones had been fined two weeks wages for his conduct, with his future at the club now hanging in the balance.

But any hopes of a move to Goodison Park appear to have been dashed following the announcement that the Toffees had captured Monaco forward Lacina Traore on loan until the end of the season.

That news leaves the former Southampton man in something approaching a transfer limbo, with Crystal Palace and Tony Pulis potentially stepping into the breach.

Pulis has made no secret of his desire to add reinforcements to his Crystal Palace squad with the Eagles 6/5 to avoid the drop with Ladbrokes and having previously managed Jones during his time in charge of the Potters, he will know exactly what to expect from the ex-Sunderland goalscorer.

Question marks remain as to whether Stoke would be willing to let the forward go though, with the Britannia club also facing a battle to stay in the Premier League.

Much could depend on the mindset of manager Hughes and whether he is willing to forgive and forget the target man’s recent indiscretions with Stoke City on at 6/1 to go down.

But with just seven appearances to his name so far this term, it’s questionable as to whether Jones has a long-term future at the club having fallen behind Peter Crouch in the pecking order.

All of which means that, regardless of whether it is Palace that’s his final destination, the striker could soon be on his way out of the Britannia.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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