Alan Pardew says Crystal Palace are likely to sign a striker in January following Connor Wickham’s knee injury.
Wickham’s season has been ended by cruciate damage and fellow forward Loic Remy is still at least a couple of weeks away from even training.
With Pape Souaré sidelined since being involved in a car crash in September, Eagles boss Pardew has long planned to target a left-sided defender.
But a striker is now also seen as a priority ahead of the approaching transfer window.
“A defender – a left-footed defender – would be good for us if we can get one,” Pardew said.
“Obviously the Connor injury has affected us and that’s another area we’re going to look at if Loic doesn’t come through by January.
“We need to do something in this window I think. A lot of teams will make a move in this window because it’s very tight from eighth down.
“We need to make sure we stay with the pack. Like in any sport, if you stand still you go backwards.”
France international Remy, on loan from Chelsea, has not featured at all for Palace this season because of a thigh injury.
“Loic’s still two or three weeks away from training with us I think,” Pardew said at a press conference on Friday morning.
“It’s been a long process with Loic, which is disappointing for us. With Connor out now and Loic – two big strikers for us – it’s having an impact. So it will be nice to see him around us.”