According to TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough lead the race to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon on loan before the end of the month.

What's the story?

Puncheon has not represented Palace since rupturing his cruciate ligament in their Premier League clash with Manchester City last December.

The 32-year-old was said to be keen to stay with the Eagles this season, but it is understood that head coach Roy Hodgson has told the club captain that he is surplus to requirements.

According to TEAMtalk, a number of Championship clubs want to take Puncheon on loan before the end of August, but Boro currently lead the race.

Boro are expected to have a busy end to the month as head coach Tony Pulis looks to land a number of players on loan - including Everton attacker Yannick Bolasie.

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However, Puncheon is also firmly on the club's wishlist, and it is vital that the former Premier League outfit win the race for the midfielder's signature.

Why would Puncheon be a good signing?

There will be some concern over the severity of Puncheon's recent injury problems, but there is absolutely no question that the London-born midfielder is a class act.

Injury restricted Puncheon to just 12 Palace appearances last season, but he excelled for the Eagles in the Premier League between 2014 and 2017.

A player with 193 Premier League appearances to his name, Puncheon has also operated in the Championship, League One and League Two, and Pulis knows him well having worked with him during his time in charge of the south London club.

The 60-year-old has assembled a talented squad at Boro, and they have started the season with four wins from their five matches in all competitions.

However, adding the classy and versatile Puncheon - valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt - into the mix would be an incredible boost for the club, and would certainly make them contenders for the Championship title this season.

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