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Cape Town - Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson will be at the front of the line to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek if Chelsea decide to make him available again for the 2018/19 campaign.
The 22-year-old midfielder is coming to the end of a productive season-long loan at Selhurst Park, having registered two goals and three assists in 23 Premier League outings for the Eagles.
It is in stark contrast to his career with the Blues, where Loftus-Cheek made 23 league appearances across the previous three seasons.
The England international is expected to return to Stamford Bridge when he loan deal expires, but Hodgson will be keeping a close eye on the situation and wants to continue aiding in his development.
"He's a fantastic player and of course we'd love to keep him," the 70-year-old said. "We'd love to bring him back but the bottom line is he was loaned to us for a season.
"At the end of the season, the plan from Chelsea was that he would go back to them so I guess we'll have to wait and see what their thinking is.
"If they make him available in any way then, of course, we'll be right there trying to get to the front of the queue with our hands up but it's totally out of our hands. Chelsea will decide."
