Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson 'concerned' by form of striker Christian Benteke

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 14 December 2017

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admits that Christian Benteke's failure to find the net "is a concern", with the Belgian striker's scoreless run stretching to 13 matches.

Roy Hodgson has admitted that Crystal Palace "cannot afford to carry" out-of-form striker Christian Benteke if his scoreless run continues.

The Belgium international last registered a goal for the Eagles in May, going 13 matches since netting that most recent strike in the 4-0 win over Hull City.

Benteke also missed an injury-time penalty against Bournemouth last weekend, having wrested the ball off designated taker Luka Milivojevic, and Hodgson has now warned the 27-year-old that he needs to quickly find his feet.

"Of course when your front player - the man who is a pivotal focal point in your attack - is not scoring, it's a concern," he told reporters.

"It's a concern to him, it's a concern to us and it's a concern to fans. He can do nothing more than keep working at it, keep working very, very hard.

"If the goals aren't coming he needs to be making certain he's making a good contribution to the team's play, both in terms of our attacking and our defensive play. We certainly can't afford to carry anybody, let alone carry a goalscorer that isn't scoring goals."

Palace have just 12 goals to their name as a squad all season - only bottom side Swansea City have managed fewer.