Crystal Palace were plagued by defensive issues last season, which has been compounded by an injury crisis this season. Roy Hodgson's side have been ravaged by injury, which has meant that Joel Ward has moved to the right.

What's the word?

According to an exclusive from TEAMtalk, Palace are keeping close tabs on Reading captain Liam Moore, amid interest from a number of other Premier League clubs including Leicester City, Newcastle United, Southampton, West Ham and Wolves.

The Reading skipper has been in sensational form this season as the Royals have stormed to the top of the Championship table, with four wins in their past five games. So, it's perhaps hardly surprising that the Eagles are interested in signing Moore, given the gravity of the situation, as they picked up several injuries during the international break.

Bargain buy?

Moore, 27, who can play as a centre-back or as a right-back, is exactly the type of versatile player Hodgson desperately needs, if he decides to switch to Selhurst Park.

Whilst Ward has done a fine job on the right flank, as he has made five appearances in the Premier League this season, it's worth considering the fact that Gary Cahill isn't getting any younger, and there will come a time when Palace will need to start pruning their aging squad.

The Leicester City academy graduate has played seven games in the Championship this season, supplying one assist, whilst he has made 1.1 interceptions and 4.3 clearances per game, via WhoScored. By comparison, Mamadou Sakho has failed to register at least one interception per game in the English top flight so far, whilst only Ward has made more clearances than Moore.

Recently described as a "fantastic" player by Veljko Paunovic for his defensive display in the 3-0 win over Rotherham United at the Madejski Stadium, Moore made 43 appearances for Reading last term, scoring one goal, whilst he made 1.1 tackles, 1.2 blocks and 4 clearances per game, as per WhoScored.

He is currently valued at £4.95m via Transfermarkt, which, if anything, is all the more reason to get a deal done to avoid a bidding war at all costs.

For roughly £5m, what an absolute steal that would be!

AND in other news, Crystal Palace ace Jairo Riedewald dominated the midfield battle against Fulham...