Roy Hodgson has downplayed rumours circulating in the press that Crystal Palace will attempt to sign Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on loan in January.

Wilshere, who was a key figure in Hodgson’s England side during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, almost completed a loan move to Selhurst Park in the summer of 2016 before opting to spend the season at Bournemouth.

The 25 year old has struggled to break into Arsenal’s team this season, with his only Premier League appearances coming from the bench.

“I work with Dougie Freedman and we talk about potential players and Jack Wilshere’s name has never been mentioned” said Hodgson.

He added: “We haven’t discussed Jack Wilshere. I like him and I think he is a very good player. There may come a time at Crystal Palace where Jack Wilshere would be just the player we are looking for, but I can’t tell you that is the case at the moment, and he might not be available etc.”

The Telegraph first linked Wilshere to Palace after Southgate said that Wilshere would only be called up if he was playing regularly.

“Everyone knows the quality Jack has,” England manager Gareth Southgate said. “But he’s got to be playing regularly. He has the quality to play at highest level.”

Words: Reuben Pinder | Subbing: Nikolay Kolev