Roy Hodgson denies Crystal Palace Jack Wilshere link

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has firmly denied suggestions that his club are in talks with Arsenal over a move for Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere, 25, has not started a single Premier League game for Arsenal this season, and his contract with the Gunners will expire in a little over six months.

Palace, who are bottom of the Premier League table, have been linked with a January swoop for the Englishman, but Hodgson has insisted that Wilshere's name has never been discussed by the Eagles.

"We have never mentioned his name. I work with [sporting director] Dougie Freedman and we talk about potential players and Jack Wilshere's name has never been mentioned," the London Evening Standard quotes Hodgson as saying.

"I have got no idea about where the name of Jack Wilshere has come from, so where did you get it from? I will tell you who – his agent. 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.

"Good luck to Jack, I think he is an outstanding player and I have got nothing but respect for him, I like him very much, but why his name should be being talked about for Crystal Palace, I don't know."

Wilshere has only played 25 minutes of Premier League football this season.