Kop to battle Fulham for hotshot

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is ready to battle with old club Fulham for Crystal Palace's exciting young striker Wilfried Zaha.

Kop chief Hodgson wants to take the young Eagle as part of the club's long-term planning - with Kenny Dalglish also involved in the recruitment of top talent for the future.

Zaha has been a hit for Palace since making his breakthrough this season and Liverpool want to snap him up after landing other prospects like Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling this year.

Hodgson's spies have been checking on Zaha, who will ironically face his team in the FA Youth Cup, while other calls have been made to register their interest.

However Hodgson's old employers at Fulham are also on the hunt for Zaha, who may be sold by George Burley's club if they need to raise funds to bring in new faces to beat the drop.

Palace would want around £2 million for Ivory Coast-born starlet Zaha, who is still just 18. But in their ideal world he would be left with them for the season.

Hodgson will be given cash for new recruits who will stand the test of time at Merseyside - and may be there beyond his period in charge.

And the fact that there is growing interest - with Fulham also prepared to splash out now - means that Zaha may be one of the surprise movers in the window.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.