Alan Pardew may be tempted to look at the free agents currently available after Pape Souare was ruled out for six months.
Crystal Palace’s Papa Souare and West Hams’s Enner Valencia
After Alan Pardew confirmed that Crystal Palace defender Pape Souare was set to miss the next six months on account of the car accident that broke his leg, the Londoners may be tempted to dip into the free transfer market to add to a position where they are somewhat short in.
Both Joel Ward and Martin Kelly can play at left back despite preferring the right flank, while Zeki Fryers is also available, but beyond that, the Eagles are struggling in the fullback department.
Below are arguably the strongest three free transfer options for them to consider:
Kieran Richardson
The former Fulham and Sunderland wide man is available after his release from Aston Villa in the summer, and is a player who has experience of the Premier League and is still at an age where he could do a job for Palace.
Aston Villa’s Kieran Richardson
Still only 31, Richardson isn’t going to excite the Selhurst Park faithful, but he could come in on a short term deal and offer a boost at both left back and out wide in Souare’s absence.
Kevin Constant
The 29-year-old Guinea international has featured a large number of clubs over the last few years, including Serie A sides Milan and Bologna, where he spent the last half of the previous season.
Kevin Constant (L) – Picture Supplied by Action Images
A quick and powerful athlete, Constant is not set to appear in the African Cup of Nations, with his country failing to qualify, meaning he would be available for the rest of the season or at least until January when Pardew can look to buy a reinforcement.
Juan Vargas
Arguably the strongest option on the market is experienced Peruvian Juan Vargas. The 32-year-old has been a consistent former for much of the last seven years in Serie A, proving himself an important figure at Fiorentina and making nearly 200 appearances for the Florence side.
Juan Vargas – Picture Supplied by Action Images
Last year he moved to Real Betis but suffered knee and hamstring injuries which interrupted his year in Seville, and he was released in the summer. Pardew would do well to consider the left footer, possibly bringing him on trial to make a judgement on his fitness.
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