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Roy Hodgson: 'I'd love to have Ruben Loftus-Cheek back at Crystal Palace'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 04 August 2018

Hodgson: 'I'd love Loftus-Cheek back at Palace'

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admits that he would love to re-sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek before the end of the transfer window.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he would love to re-sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek if Chelsea made the player available for transfer.

Loftus-Cheek spent the last campaign on loan at Selhurst Park, and a return of two goals and three assists from 24 outings earned the 22-year-old a place in England's World Cup squad.

Chelsea are yet to decide whether the playmaker will remain at Stamford Bridge this season, and Hodgson has suggested that he is keeping an eye on developments in West London.

The Eagles boss told talkSPORT: "We'd love to have him back. There is no question about that but that is something which is totally and utterly in Chelsea's hands.

"I have no idea what their plans for Ruben are. They haven't announced to us what their plans are and I've seen nothing written publicly but Ruben knows how much we appreciate him and how pleased we were with him, and the fans took him very much.

"If he was available on loan, I am pretty sure we would be knocking their door down to get him."

Loftus-Cheek has indicated that he would like to join a different team if Maurizio Sarri does not intend to use him in the first team at the Blues.