Crystal Palace January transfer dossier: Eagles must bolster flailing attack

Having lost Tony Pulis and then sacked Neil Warnock, Crystal Palace have acted quickly to ensure they have a manager in place ahead of the January transfer window. The Eagles, so impressive in the second half of last season, have struggled so far, and the chances of another great escape now hinge on Alan Pardew and whether he is given the full backing of the club's transfer business so soon into his tenure.

Palace urgently need reinforcements in key areas but, with one of the smallest budgets in the Premier League, they will have to use their resources wisely.

What they need

With defensive midfielder Mile Jedinak Palace's leading scorer in the league, potency in front of goal will be the primary area of concern for the club's new manager this month. With Dwight Gayle, Frazier Campbell and Yannick Bolasie all offering similar attributes, a target man to operate as the pivot in the final third would be valuable. Some pace at the centre of defence is also needed with Scott Dann and Brede Hangeland often running in quick sand.

Who could join?

Swansea City's second-choice forward, Bafetimbi Gomis, is already being linked with a move from south Wales, though his designs might extend further than Selhurst Park. Arsenal duo Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell have been linked with loan moves to the Eagles as has Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy, despite Julian Speroni's stranglehold on the number one jersey.

Who could leave?

Gayle's six goals this season are not enough to see him evade the January rumour mill, with reports linking him with moves to both Leicester City and Burnley. Winger Bolasie is the other Palace player linked to a move away from the club, with Liverpool among the interested parties. However the club have ruled out a sale in the current window.

What the caretaker manager has said

"It's difficult because we're trying to bring in players to improve what we've got, and that doesn't come cheap in January when clubs don't want to lose players," said Keith Millen.

"But window will be really important. We need some fresh faces to help what we've got here. We don't need many: one or two, maybe. We'll be very good then."