Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admits he would love to see Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek back at the club but is not holding his breath over a possible January move.

Loftus-Cheek spent last season on loan at Selhurst Park, scoring two Premier League goals from 24 appearances and impressed enough to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad.

The 22-year-old made four appearances and three starts in Russia and generally impressed as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.

He is now back at Stamford Bridge but, despite his summer exploits, has played just 33 minutes of league football under new boss Maurizio Sarri.

That has led to speculation that the talented youngster might look for a route out of the club in the new year, with the Eagles seemingly an obvious destination after last season’s experience.

Loftus-Cheek admitted it was possible he could consider re-joining Palace on loan in January and Hodgson, while refusing to count his chickens over the possibility, would certainly jump at the chance of working with the Londoner once again.

He said: “He is a Chelsea player, and I have got no idea if he is going to be available in January, so what can I look at? “If the question is should Ruben Loftus-Cheek be made available in January, would Crystal Palace be interested in loaning him again, then the answer is yes.”

Loftus-Cheek’s potential move to Palace would certainly aid their chances of staying in the Premier League, with Hodgson’s side currently 8.00 to be relegated.