Free agent Carlton Cole says he's yet to hear from Crystal Palace.

Former West Ham and Celtic striker Cole has played down speculation he could be about to join Crystal Palace with the club desperate to sign a striker.

“I've not heard anything. You never know what happens in football," Cole, who is a free agent, said.

"Clubs need strikers to take the pressure off. Obviously I'm here and ready to go.

"I don't know what's going on to be honest. I'm just waiting for a phone call to see if a team is ready for me to go there and see where that takes me.

"Playing up front in the Premier League is hard but I obviously think I've got what it takes and I know what it takes. It's all rumours at the moment so we'll keep it like that.

"I want to stay in England. I don't want to go abroad anymore, I've done that. Anything close to home would be good for me."