New Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson ready to swoop for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere in January

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Roy Hodgson is plotting a January move for Arsenal star Jack Wilshere.

Newly-appointed Crystal Palace boss Hodgson is a huge fan of Wilshere and would jump at the chance of signing the 25-year-old when the transfer window reopens.

The new Eagles chief will monitor how Wilshere's season develops ahead of the January window.

Jack Wilshere is in line for a start when Arsenal open their Europa League campaign

If the Arsenal star continues to play a peripheral role then Hodgson is likely to make a beeline for the talented midfielder.

His existing deal expires at the end of the season meaning Arsenal may look to cash in on their academy graduate to prevent him leaving for nothing next summer.

Wilshere was a key man for Hodgson during the 70-year-old's reign as England manager, selecting the midfielder 29 times.

Wilshere hasn't played for Arsenal in 13 months, spending last season on loan at Bournemouth

Meanwhile, Hodgson's reign as Palace boss got under way on Wednesday morning as he took his first training session after being formally appointed on Tuesday night.

Palace have lost their opening four Premier League games without scoring a goal - a sequence that led to Frank de Boer's sacking on Monday.

Nevertheless, Hodgson insists he can deal with the pressure of keeping his new club in the Premier League.

'The pressure has always been there and it'll only get stronger,' Hodgson told talkSPORT on Wednesday.

'The money improves every year and the thought of relegation gets more and more frightening for the teams that are going to be threatened by it, so there's no doubt the pressure has increased. 

Wilshere last played for Arsenal in 3-1 Premier League win at Watford on August 27 last year

Wilshere talks to Arsene Wenger during training as he prepares to return to the first team

'But you take on every job knowing what the benefits and the shortfalls and problems are likely to be and I go into this job with open eyes, with great enthusiasm and a great energy which has certainly been boosted by the fact I've had a bit of time away from the game.

'It will be tough, of course, but it won't just be tough for us, it'll be tough for a few teams.

'We're four games in and the start has been a poor one, we can't deny that, but there's 38 games in the league season and there's 34 more to play and quite frankly the relegation issues are not going to be decided this side of Christmas, they're probably not going to be decided this side of Easter.

'I'm certain we will pull away from the mire and I'm very confident the players we have here will help us achieve our goal, which is to make certain we don't get relegated.'