Crystal Palace defender Clint Hill has warned the club they may have a battle to keep Argentinean shotstopper Julian Speroni at the club this summer.

The influential left back, who had a short stint in goal himself against Southampton on Monday, was full of praise for Speroni’s fine form this season, but was wary that it could attract interest from bigger clubs.

He said: “Julian's done well for us.

"He’s a top class keeper and has done it for the last two years I have been here and he will be attracting interest definitely.

"He is a steady eddy, pulls off some great saves and works hard on the training ground and he deserves all the plaudits he gets.”

Speroni was the Eagles player of the year last season but looks set to be succeeded by Hill, who has drawn the plaudits for his effort this term.

He has now played 45 games this season, more than any other in his career, and he puts his rejuvenated fitness down to the staff at the club.

"I’ve never played this many games before and especially with two games in a short space of time I was feeling it a bit," he said.

"However it’s just great to play football.

"I’ve had some luck here and there, the club have looked after me and I’ve got a lot of people to thank for that.

"But this is a results business and no matter how many games you play, you don’t want to lose and unfortunately that’s the way it is going at the moment.”