PALACE boss Neil Warnock has revealed he's hoping to tie up "one or two" deals for the beginning of January, admitting he's hopeful on one in particular.
The manager and co-chairman Steve Parish have made a forward their number one target.
Warnock recently flew to Madeira to watch a game between CD Nacional and Maritimo in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, but it turned out to be a waste of time, with the player failing to impress the 66-year-old.
"I had one or two positive phone calls on Wednesday morning which I was happy about," the boss said.
"I am just trying to get one or two in for January 1, rather than the end of the transfer window.
"It's just trying to move along with it all really. I am feeling optimistic about one of the targets having spoken to the club in regards to taking the player.
"You just have to keep pushing away. We've had scouts out, we've had everyone looking.
"Strikers are still the priority. We need a physical presence up front.
"We are looking at a number of targets, it's just getting them over the line.
"We are trying to scout, but the problem with the foreign leagues, for example, is that they all close around Christmas.
"Everybody at the club is at whatever games are on at the moment having a look. And you can't rely on DVDs either when looking at players.
"I got back recently from a trip abroad. I flew out to Madeira to watch a player – and he wasn't that good."
One player who does return to Selhurst Park soon is Glenn Murray, on loan at Reading.
And it seems Warnock is keen to take a look at the 31-year-old back in a Palace shirt if he can, depending on talks over a fee between the Eagles and the Royals.
"Glenn's loan ends on January 1 – I don't know all the ins and outs yet, but I've asked to have a look at him myself," said Warnock.
"The thing is, I think both clubs have agreed a fee if they decide to take him but not only have they got to come up with that fee, the player has got to agree it as well.
"I don't think it's straightforward. Put it this way, I'm in no rush for him to go. I would be playing him on Saturday at Manchester City if he was back at Palace."
In terms of other possible comings and goings at Palace, Warnock has set the record straight on speculation ahead of the transfer window.
The likes of Michu and Peter Crouch have been earmarked as possibilities for the Eagles next month, while it has been suggested that Roma full-back Ashley Cole is a loan target.
And the boss admitted he'd be interested in the former England defender, despite claims from the player's agent that Cole will not be leaving Italy.
"I saw that on Wednesday – I'd definitely have him," said Warnock. "I'd have him tomorrow if I could. I don't think it will happen but I would have him, I think he's super."
Of reports linking Crouch to SE25, Warnock said: "I think he's been linked with everybody – any London club."
And in regards to Michu, the boss added: "Not for me, not that I'm aware of."
Meanwhile, just before the Advertiser went to press, Warnock was set to negotiate when Mile Jedinak will leave to meet up with the Australian national squad for the Asian Cup, which kicks off on January 9 (see article on the left).
