Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis doesn't believe Dwight Gayle is ready for the Premier League.
Ian Holloway spent big in the summer on the former carpenter who was playing non-league football with Bishop's Stortford last year. The former boss said Gayle was "our first target" - and compared him to Ian Wright.
But Pulis, who must find a new partner for Cameron Jerome, said: "We have got Gaylie who can play up there - we are a little bit short.
"Gayle has been all right - genuinely there have been no problems. I think it is a very big ask to get a kid who was playing non-league football only a year ago to go and play straight in the Premier League. Such a young lad as well. That is a big, big call.
"He has a role to play. It is difficult because of the position you are in when you are up against it a little bit, to get young players to carry the flag for you, it is very difficult."
