Crystal Palace have struggled for goals this season.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has stressed that it is pivotal that the club sign a striker in the January transfer window.
Connor Wickham is still struggling with a knee injury, while first-choice forward Christian Benteke is closing in on a return to action, but Palace still lack options in attack, as summed up by the fact that Hodgson deployed Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend up front in the club’s last game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Palace can call upon Freddie Ladapo, but Hodgson feels that the youngster is too raw to be considered a genuine option in the Premier League at this stage, with a new striker a necessity.
As reported by South London Press & Mercury, Hodgson said: “Listen, we need more forwards in our squad. We’re going into matches without one, unless you count the young Freddie Ladapo who has only played non-league and League Two football.
“Newcastle and other clubs have a few of those, too. I’m talking about recognised Premier League players or who should be playing in the Premier League.
“Four to zero – that’s obviously ridiculous. Even if Christian Benteke is fit and plays well, even if Connor Wickham gets fit sooner, we still need forward additions to our squad.”
Scoring goals has evidently been a major problem for Palace this season – they have scored just four times in the Premier League, the lowest return in the division.
Hodgson has found it difficult to address the problem since taking over from Frank De Boer and the club’s recruitment in January will certainly be hugely important as they are currently bottom of the table and heading towards relegation.
Palace are back in action on Saturday when they host Everton.
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