Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock insists that he would love to have Roma defender Ashley Cole as part of his squad but admitted that it does not look like a deal that will happen.

Cole joined Roma on a free in the summer after his contract expired with Chelsea but he has not been a regular under Rudi Garcia.

The England international has struggled to tie down the left back berth with Greek international Jose Holebas doing enough to keep him restricted to a place on the bench.

The 33-year-old’s lack of game time has led to suggestions that he may look to call time on his European adventure and seek a move back to the Premier League in January.

Crystal Palace can be backed at 3.00 to be relegated and are one of a number of sides to have been linked with Cole, having previously played for them during a loan spell in 1999 and 2000.

Palace boss Warnock recently admitted that he would have Cole in his team in a heartbeat but admitted that he must be realistic about their chances of agreed a deal.

Warnock said: “I was asked a question, ‘would I have Ashley Cole?’ and the answer is yes I’d love him.

“Then you go and write your stories on the back of that and put whatever you want in it.

“The fact is he’s not coming here and he’s not going to leave Italy for a year. He’s loving it in Italy, he walks around in the town without anyone recognising him. He’s loving it. So, the answer is no. But I’d love him, yeah. So, write whatever you want out of that.”