Warnock eyes ex-loan ace swoop

Neil Warnock has confirmed that he is looking into taking former loan defender Jose Fonte back to Crystal Palace from Benfica.

The Eagles boss was impressed with 24-year-old Fonte during his season-long loan at Selhurst Park from the Portuguese giants and says negotiations have already started about making his move to England a permanent arrangement.

Mark Hudson's decision to quit Palace for Charlton means there is a gap in the defence which needs filling and Fonte would be the ideal acquisition, having played 26 games and scoring one goal last term.

Warnock told Your Local Guardian: "We are trying to sign Jose and we have had a word with Benfica."

The former Sheffield United boss also confirmed that he is busy trying to get a few more new faces into the club in the coming weeks.

He added: "We've spoken to two or three people about bringing players in and we hope to bring the right people in in the next couple of weeks."