MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 11:56:34| >> :60:2075:2075:

Roy Hodgson confirms Nathaniel Clyne will be training with Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson confirms Nathaniel Clyne will be training with Crystal Palace
© Reuters
The 73-year-old talked up Wilfried Zaha's form ahead of the trip to old club Manchester United.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is happy to give free agent Nathaniel Clyne the chance to prove his fitness over the coming weeks.

The full-back is set to join the Eagles squad for training on Monday and will attempt to get his career back on track after injury problems at Liverpool.

Clyne started out at Selhurst Park before he left to sign for Southampton in 2012 and it was on the south coast where the defender earned his England debut under Hodgson.

A move to Liverpool followed but during his time on Merseyside the right-back suffered a serious back injury in 2017 and last summer sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"Nathaniel Clyne hasn't trained with us, I haven't seen him," Hodgson stated ahead of Palace's trip to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

"I believe he was coming to be tested today so he could take part in some training with us over next couple of weeks where he is interested to improve his fitness and show us – and not only us, perhaps other clubs too – that he is fit and ready to go again.

"We are happy to welcome him back into the fold and give him that opportunity."

Hodgson was quick to point out while the ex-Palace defender could return on a permanent basis, it will depend on the fitness of summer signing Nathan Ferguson, who is still recovering from a knee injury sustained at West Brom last season.

He added: "A lot hinges on Nathan Ferguson, the player we have actually brought in to be a right-back at the club and to compete for a place there.

"A lot will depend on how his injury situation pans out over the next few weeks, but it will be very nice to see where Nathaniel is and if there is an opportunity for us to offer him something or if he is interested in us offering him something, then him joining us."

Wilfried Zaha helped Palace make a triumphant start to the new campaign with the winner at home to Southampton on Saturday.

This weekend the Ivory Coast international will face his old club and Hodgson insists his star man is excited to return to Man United despite continued speculation over his future.

"Nothing has changed at all since the last 230 times I have spoken about this subject," the 73-year-old said. "Wilf is fit, playing extremely well and looking forward to the game on Saturday."

A Palace player who is expected to leave before the transfer window closes on October 5 is forward Alexander Sorloth.

The Norway international is currently on loan at Trabzonspor from Selhurst Park, but is set to end his two-year stay in Turkey early to sign for Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig despite late interest from Tottenham.

"It is a complicated transfer situation," Hodgson admitted. "I know of course about the bid and RB Leipzig are very keen on signing him.

"How far the transfer is along the line and what it means for the club, you would have to ask (chairman) Steve Parish and (sporting director) Doug Freedman for information."

The ex-England boss was equally tight-lipped about Brentford playmaker Said Benrahma – a player linked with several Premier League clubs during the past 12 months – with a forward more of a priority for the Eagles.

"At the moment that is not something we have discussed at great length," Hodgson revealed.

"We will see what happens, he is a player whose name has been mentioned and a player we do know but there has to be a lot happening before a concrete move could be possible."

ID:414718: cacheID:414718:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5204:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Alexander Sorloth in action for Trabzonspor on February 22, 2020
Read Next:
Tottenham Hotspur 'miss out on Alexander Sorloth deal'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!