Roy’s in no rush

ROY HODGSON admits Crystal Palace got it wrong last January – and insists there will be no repeat next month.

The Eagles boss is keen to freshen up his squad, but says there is no need for drastic action despite Palace sitting just three points above the drop zone ahead of today’s trip to West Ham.

He knows from last year’s experience that the winter sales are not guaranteed to deliver instant improvement.

Palace shelled out £9m on Midtjylland striker Alexander Sorloth – who has yet to notch his first Premier League goal – while defender Jaroslaw Jach and midfielder Erdal Rakip left in the summer without making a first-team appearance.

But Hodgson (above) is adamant Palace are better prepared this time around.

He said: “I am relaxed about it, it is not like last season.

“Last season things were going so badly and everyone was telling me, ‘Wait til the January transfer window and all will be fine’.

“Certainly we didn’t succeed last January and if we do anything this January, it will be better and more thought out.

“But it would be nice to bring in one or two to bring some fresh impetus.”

A return of just 11 goals from 15 league games highlights where Palace need to improve.

Hodgson hopes the expected return of Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham will boost his forward options.

Benteke is not yet back in full training after suffering a knee problem in September.

Wickham is battling to recover match fitness after more than two years with a serious knee injury.