Crystal Palace have been given hope they can make Ruben Loftus-Cheek's move to Selhurst Park a permanent one.

The Eagles have secured the services of the Chelsea midfielder on a season-long loan deal and the 21-year-old looks set to play a big role in Palace's bid to avoid the drop under manager Roy Hodgson.

When questioned over whether he has been given any assurances by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte over his future at Stamford Bridge, he told The Star: "Not at all. But I don't think it's right to because you never know how I'll perform this season. So, right now I'm just literally focused on Palace.

"He [Conte] said I need to play games. Chelsea is a big club and there’s a lot of pressure which I understand.

"For me, it was the right time for me to go away from Chelsea right now and get my game-time elsewhere."

If Loftus-Cheek does impress at Selhurst Park this term, Palace could be one of the frontrunners to land the player if he has no future at The Bridge.