Whisper it quietly, but Crystal Palace have an underlying problem at right-back that seems to be getting worse and worse.

What's the word?

According to an exclusive from TEAMtalk, Roy Hodgson is interested in signing Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence when the transfer market re-opens in January.

But it's claimed that Hodgson's side will face stiff competition from Everton, Newcastle United and Wolves, who are closely monitoring the situation. So, Palace chairman Steve Parish must secure a deal for the defender at all costs.

Time to strike!

Spence, 20, burst onto the scenes at the Riverside Stadium after he made his first-team debut against Charlton Athletic last term.

In fact, it's fair to say that the full-back, who can be deployed at the back or on the right wing, has been given a new lease of life under Neil Warnock, as he has made eight appearances in the Championship this season, scoring one goal in the 2-0 win over Coventry City last month, via Transfermarkt.

Once lauded as an "exceptional" player by former Boro manager Jonathan Woodgate, the London-born defender hasn't looked at all out of touch in the first team. Despite his age, he has started five out of eight fixtures so far, last featuring in the 1-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest.

Spence, who's market value is estimated at £1.8m via Transfermarkt, has drawn comparisons with Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and former Crystal Palace man Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who now plies his trade with Manchester United.

It's perhaps hardly surprising that several Premier League clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Brighton were keen to sign the Englishman in the summer, but no move came to fruition.

Palace themselves are in a state of flux at the moment as new summer signing Nathan Ferguson is still injured, whilst Nathaniel Clyne only signed a short-term contract which will run out in January, which has left the club with very little room for manoeuvre.

Joel Ward has been in fine form on the right flank but he cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of responsibilities until such a time when Ferguson is fully fit and firing on all cylinders, whenever the case may be.

Spence could turn out to be a shrewd signing to make as he seems to be a relatively risk-free signing with no previous injury record to speak of.

AND in other news, Bye Benteke: Crystal Palace must return for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard...