Crystal Palace boss: Now isn’t the time to discuss new deal for defender

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson reckons it is too soon to be discussing Nathaniel Clyne’s future.

The Stockwell-born defender signed a short-term deal with the Eagles in mid-October which runs until the next transfer window.

Clyne was brought back for a second spell with Nathan Ferguson (knee) still struggling to be back available for selection.

And the South Londoner has started the last two Premier League matches with Joel Ward also sidelined.

But Hodgson described it as “far too early” to be making plans yet about whether Clyne could stay until the end of the campaign.

The Eagles chief said: “We’re really, really happy to have him here. He’s done exceptionally well. He’ll be playing again tomorrow against Leeds, that’s another opportunity for him to impress us – which is what he’s done so far.

“We do run the risk, at one stage, of having an abundance of riches at right-back, as we had a little while ago and have now at centre-back.

“But that’s a strange situation for me to be in – because for the best part of my three years at the club we have probably had one right-back with very little cover. We’ve been desperate to get cover and now we’ve got extra cover.

“If you ask most players what they prefer – no cover or extra cover – they’ll opt for extra cover every time. But I suppose people who run the club and pay the wages will maybe prefer a bit less cover.”