Crystal Palace keen to sign free agent Carlton Cole?

Carlton Cole has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Roy Hodgson's side currently sit at the bottom of the top-flight table with no points and no goals and after Christian Benteke was sidelined for around six weeks, the Eagles are now without a fit frontline striker.

It has left Hodgson scouring the market for a new forward and according to The Mirror, the former England boss is ready to take a risk on Cole, who has not featured in English football since 2015.

Since leaving West Ham United, Cole has had unsuccessful spells with Celtic, Sacramento Republic and Persib Bandung, while the 33-year-old also missed out on signing for Southend United during the summer.

Palace have also been linked with an approach for Rickie Lambert, who is also without a club after netting just four goals in 18 Championship appearances for Cardiff City last season.