"I don't think Zaha is the only player in our squad that is capable of playing at a higher level for one of the teams above us in the league," Hodgson said.

"But we are lucky enough to have them under contract and we try our best to make certain they are happy here and satisfied with everything Crystal Palace can provide for them.

"I think we can provide a lot, I don't underrate ourselves to the extent that I am being encouraged to constantly talk about the top four or five clubs."

Sakho has been one of the leading performers for Palace this season at centre-half and Hodgson has no issue with him speaking about his ambitions, because he knows the club are in a position of power.

The former England manager added: "I don't think you can expect them to give any other answer than the one they give.

"I don't know anything about the potential moves Mamadou is talking about, they were never brought to my attention.

"As a club we weren't faced with any bids to reject or accept. As far as I am concerned, this season his performances and his attitude and the way he has taken so much responsibility has been exemplary.

"So I don't pay too much attention to the stories that come out of international camps because they are always biased in a certain way, Mamaodu is committed here and we know that we will have that commitment for as long as he stays here.

"If he has ambitions to leave we have two years of a contract left and we will have to deal with the offers when they come in, but at the moment it is not something we are concerned with."

Palace will need Sakho, who has shaken off a knock picked up on international duty, to be at his best when they visit Manchester United on Saturday.

They have taken just two points from their last seven Premier League games and Hodgson is not buying the assertion that visiting Old Trafford, where United have not been great this season, will be any easier than usual.

"We are playing against a very good team, with top quality players," he added. They are top class internationals in top class teams. It is Old Trafford, which is a very difficult place to go and get results.

"I don't see anything that will make our task any easier than it always is when you go there."

Zaha is fit enough to return after a hamstring injury, with James Tomkins back from a knee problem.

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