Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke is a Crystal Palace target, hints Steve Parish

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has confirmed he hopes to complete a loan move for Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke in the early days of the January transfer window.

Eagles boss Roy Hodgson acknowledged after the 0-0 draw with Cardiff on Boxing Day that his side are lacking in firepower as they look to push clear of the Premier League drop zone.

With Christian Benteke sidelined, Jordan Ayew struggling and Connor Wickham still working his way back to fitness after two years out with a knee injury, Hodgson has been forced to turn to Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend as auxiliary forwards.

Solanke, yet to feature under Jurgen Klopp this season, has also been linked with Huddersfield and Rangers, but Palace can point to the success enjoyed by Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan last season.

Standard Sport reported earlier in December that Solanke was an Eagles target, and Parish sounded optimistic about a potential deal for the forward.

“We’re trying,” Parish told beIN Sports of a move for a striker. “These things are never straightforward are they? If we can it would make a big difference, it’ll lift everybody."

Asked whether Solanke could be the man Palace want, Parish effectively confirmed that to be the case, saying: “The papers are not miles off.”

Writing in the match day programme ahead of today’s game against Chelsea, Parish also said: "Our squad is in good shape as we have invested significantly in recent windows, but naturally Dougie [Freedman, sporting director] and I will be looking for suitable additions in areas where we need to cover.”