Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson opens up on Sheffield Wednesday transfer target Connor Wickham's future

Several Championship clubs, including the Owls, have expressed an interest in taking Wickham on loan in the January transfer window.

Wickham, a success in two previous loan spells at Hillsborough, has found game time hard to come by at Selhurst Park this season.

He has featured just seven times in all competitions, hitting one goal in their draw with Norwich City.

"When it comes to Connor it is really a question about him," said Hodgson.

"It has been a long time since he has been able to play regularly.

“He was recovering from a serious injury and then picking up other injuries.

"This season, we have not had that with him.

“But he has had to accept others are playing in front of him.

"I think for his future, he needs to get a run of games.

“I might not be able to guarantee him that, but I must emphasise he trains well, he is very professional, and if he stays [at Palace] that is no problem.

“You can’t have too many front players.

"After scoring at Norwich and being heavily involved in our equaliser at Manchester City, he is feeling quite good about himself.

"I have nothing against him staying, but it is a discussion the club will need to have with him about if it is better for him to be the first name on a team sheet somewhere else, which I can’t guarantee him."