Crystal Palace have given their blessing for Jason Puncheon to join Middlesbrough on loan with the midfielder weighing up whether to re-join Tony Pulis in the Championship.
Middlesbrough are hoping to push through a deal for Puncheon before today’s 5pm deadline but were waiting for the 32-year-old to decide on the move.
Roy Hodgson has told Palace captain Puncheon he is not guaranteed regular football at Selhurst Park and opened the door for him to leave.
Puncheon is looking to revive his career after almost eight months out with a knee injury and was today deliberating whether to join Middlesbrough or stay and fight for his place.
In Pictures | Watford vs Crystal Palace | 26/08/2018
Middlesbrough manager Pulis worked with Puncheon when he was Palace manager and was hoping to convince the player to join him in the north-east.
Puncheon suffered cruciate ligament damage last December and has lost his place in the Palace team. He made his first appearance of the season against Swansea in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday but his playing time at Palace looks set to be limited this season.
Luka Milivojevic has taken the armband in his absence and Puncheon, who scored for Palace in the 2016 FA Cup Final, was deciding whether a loan was the best move for him.
Palace play Southampton at Selhurst Park on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways before the international break after back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Watford.
Youngster Levi Lumeka, meanwhile, was set for a loan move today. The 19-year-old winger has made two senior appearances for Palace.
