Three targets for Pardew as he seeks January bodies for Palace

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has made no secret of the fact that injuries to his side will almost certainly see him do business in the January transfer window, and we’ve found three men who could be a welcome boost for the beleaguered Eagles.

What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago Palace sat in the top six and Pardew was pretty much handed the freedom of Croydon. Today, it’s arguable that only victory over Southampton last time out has kept the Englishman in the job.

The Selhurst Park outfit have suffered numerous injuries to first-team regulars, including Steve Mandanda, Pape Souare, Loic Remy and Conor Wickham.

But with January just around the corner, Pardew only needs to hold out for a few more weeks before he can bring in much-needed reinforcements.

Here’s three men who might be available next month…

Kieran Gibbs

Palace could use a left-footed defender, and there won’t be many of the calibre of Kieran Gibbs available.

The Englishman has featured 12 times for Arsenal this season, but only four of those have come in the Premier League, and even then his total game time equates to just one and a half matches.

Nacho Monreal is the de facto number one left-back for Arsene Wenger, and Gibbs could have departed the north Londoners in the summer.

A six-month loan deal could be ideal for Pardew and Palace with Wenger himself continuing to court players such as Ricardo Rodriguez.

Marouane Fellaini

If it’s bodies Pardew needs, few will come as physically imposing as Marouane Fellaini.

The Belgian in every minute of Manchester United’s first five games, but has since played the full 90 just twice.

Left out of the squad entirely versus Arsenal, Fellaini has played just ten minutes of football in the last three fixtures, and it appears increasingly likely that Jose Mourinho doesn’t see a future for him at Old Traford.

Fellaini would come at a price, but he could prove a major benefit to the Eagles.

Ashley Young

Crossing the ball is Alan Pardew’s style at Palace these days, and handily it’s also Ashley Young’s.

Palace aren’t short on wingers, with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend in the squad, but Young is still only 31, and boasts tactical flexibility that neither of that duo can muster.

Capable on either flank, through the middle, or even, as his most recent years at Man United have shown, as a full-back, Young could offer Palace invaluable support in the second half of the season.

Young has made just four Premier League appearances this season, and has barely featured in Mourinho’s EFL Cup squad, making a January departure almost inevitable.

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