Crystal Palace have confirmed Vicente Guaita has committed his future to the club with a new contract, which could spell bad news for Jack Butland, who has struggled for game time under Roy Hodgson this season.

What's the word?

Several unconfirmed reports appeared to raise a few eyebrows after a return to Spain was rumoured to be on the cards with La Liga giants Real Sociedad apparently among the interested parties.

Though it may have been true at some point, the 33-year-old has signed a contract extension that shall keep him at Selhurst Park until 2023, with the option to extend his deal by a further year, and it seems as though that particular ship has finally sailed.

Butland was Hodgson's fifth signing during the extended summer transfer window but it may be some time before he makes his Eagles debut in the Premier League following the club's latest announcement.

Bad news for Butland?

It will not have gone unnoticed by some Palace fans that the former England international, who won the first four of his nine caps under Hodgson, has yet to feature in the top flight for the Eagles since he moved to Selhurst Park from Stoke City on a three-year deal last year.

Guaita, on the other hand, has made 80 appearances across all competitions for Hodgson's side after arriving as a free agent from Getafe in 2018.

He has had his fair share of critics - we can count ourselves among that number - but there's no denying the fact that he has almost single-handedly plucked Palace from the jaws of defeat on several occasions so far this season.

Considering Palace will also soon be able to call upon the services of the injured Wales international Wayne Hennessey, who has played in over a hundred games for the Eagles, you worry when Butland will next get the chance to prove himself in front of the Palace boss.

Palace have previously been credited with an interest in Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Seny Dieng, although Hodgson was quick to deny such rumours.

However, Butland has still found his chances hard to come by, with his sole appearance coming in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves in the FA Cup.

If he can't establish himself in the first team, then it perhaps wouldn't be a surprise to see the 27-year-old leave the club in the future.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace’s lack of options means they can’t afford to sell Arsenal target Patrick van Aanholt...