The video will start in 8 Cancel

Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Struggling Crystal Palace are ready to step up their attempts to land free-agent Carlton Cole to ease their striker crisis.

New boss Roy Hodgson has been hit by the loss of Christian Benteke for at least six weeks with a knee injury.

The Belgium international had a scan on Monday after suffering ligament damage in last Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Connor Wickham is also out injured until January, and Palace have no other recognised striker.

(Image: Reuters)

It has left Hodgson considering his options, with the Eagles sounding out Cole.

Contact is believed to have been made with the 33-year-old, who was released by Indonesian side Persib Bandung last month despite having only joined them in March.

Cole last played in England two years ago, with Palace's London rivals West Ham. He has also turned out for Chelsea, Wolves, Charlton, Aston Villa and Celtic.

Palace have not scored in the Premier League this season, losing all of their first six matches, and face a season-long relegation battle having sacked summer appointment Frank de Boer after only four league games and turning to ex-England boss Hodgson.

They next go to second-placed Manchester United on Saturday with champions Chelsea, currently third, to come at Selhurst Park in the first fixture after next week's international break.