Patrick Vieira has spoken publicly about the need for new signings at Crystal Palace this month and his desperation will only have increased following the news of Wilfried Zaha's injury last weekend.

However, Eagles CEO Steve Parish could heal the French manager's heartbreak by securing a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who continues to be linked with a Selhurst Park return.

According to Sky Sports, Palace remain keen on re-signing the England international but are still waiting on a decision by Graham Potter about the 22-year-old's future at Stamford Bridge.

Vieira spoke honestly about his interest in Gallagher recently but suggested that a deal didn't look to be on the cards, but plenty could still change between now and the transfer deadline next week.

He said:

"Conor did really well when he was with us last year and we will be interested in bringing good players to our club. Conor is a good footballer, but he's at Chelsea and there's no sign that there is the possibility for him to leave so we can't hope for something that we are not sure to get."

Palace's poor form since domestic football resumed after the World Cup break has been largely down to a lack of firepower in Vieira's squad, with the likes of Zaha and Odsonne Edouard both struggling to fire.

With the former, who is Palace's top goalscorer in the Premier League this season, now set for a spell on the sidelines, it seems clear that the Eagles need a new source of goals before the window shuts, or they risk being dragged into a relegation battle.

While a deal for Gallagher might be difficult to do, the Englishman knows that Vieira will give him regular first-team football and get the best out of him, as he has struggled for consistent form since returning to Chelsea, with just one goal and one assist in the top flight this campaign.

Last season saw the loanee, who earns £50k-per-week at Stamford Bridge, contributed eight goals and three assists in the top flight for the Eagles, averaging a superb 7.09 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Journalist and Palace fan Tom Dutton was full of praise for Gallagher's influence in Vieira's midfield last season, writing:

"Conor Gallagher is bordering on irreplaceable. A monster in our midfield."

With Palace in need of new additions and a goalscorer, Gallagher would go a long way towards healing Vieira's Zaha heartbreak and helping fire the Eagles back up the Premier League table.