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Tom Ince turned down a return to Liverpool during the January transfer window, according to his dad, ex-Blackpool boss Paul.

Ince was sold by the Reds back in 2011, when he made the move to Blackpool, but with his contract running down re-emerged as a target for the Reds last month, even more so following his father's dismissal as Tangerines' boss.

However, having spoken to a number of clubs - including Swansea, Stoke and Hull - the 22-year-old Ince decided to head to Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.

However, according to his father, Palace is precisely the kind of stepping stone Ince junior needs.

"Liverpool were in but I don't think Thomas is ready to go to Liverpool yet.

"Brendan [Rodgers] has done very well there and he does play the kids but for his progression as a footballer it needed to be a Stoke, a Swansea, a Palace or a Hull at this point.

"Maybe in two or three years' time that might be a move for him."

The younger Ince has himself spoken highly of looking to fit in at Selhurst Park for the remainder of the season, as Tony Pulis looks to drag the Eagles to safety.

"I went to Swansea and spoke to them, then I spoke to Steve Parish and then on the way back up north I spoke to Mark Hughes and Stoke," said Ince, speaking to TalkSPORT.

"The whole saga wasn't entirely true, I spoke to three clubs who I felt I would fit in well at and Crystal Palace were the one for me.

"I came down to London, spoke to Steve [Parish] and Tony and I got that sense that Palace is the place for me for the rest of the season and now I've just got to show the faith that they've placed in me."