Roy Hodgson scorned suggestions that Crystal Palace were prepared to let Christian Benteke out on loan this month.

The Palace forward has been linked with moves away this transfer window, with Aston Villa and Tottenham reportedly interested while Ligue 1’s Bordeaux are rumoured to be wanting Benteke.

All reports rubbished by Hodgson, who was exacerbated in fending off suggestions they’d be willing to off-load their top talent.

"I can’t believe I am being asked the question," he said.

"I can’t believe someone is going to suggest - when we have very few forwards anyway - that we are considering loaning out a player who we are badly missing because he has been out injured, and that we as a football club, or I as a manager, are seriously considering loaning out what is potentially one of our best players, to a club in France.

"I find it hard to believe.

"When I ask a question I sometimes wonder if it is worth asking, because I know the answer, but we have to answer these questions.”

Hodgson drew comparisons with the proposition last week that they would be willing to let Wilfried Zaha leave on loan this month.

"It is not quite as ludicrous as Wilf Zaha being loaned to Bayern Munich, but it is about ten per cent less ludicrous than that!"

Palace travel to Manchester City on Saturday looking to replicate last season’s heroics where they walked away with a 3-2 win.