Crystal Palace striker Kevin Phillips is surprised Cardiff City are getting a free run at Blackpool winger Thomas Ince.

Phillips said he thought the chance to play regular Premier league football at Cardiff might well be proving a motivating factor.

"I'm surprised a few other clubs have not come in for Tom to be honest," Phillips told talkSPORT.

"Maybe this will start a bit of a merry-go-round. Cardiff have dipped their toes in and now maybe the bigger clubs will wait to see what happens and then come in at the last minute.

"I'm quite surprised with the links to Cardiff because Tom is one of the most exciting young talents in the country.

"He would maybe play more games at Cardiff and having a dad who has played the game he is probably advising him and telling him that if he goes to Cardiff he will be playing week in and week out and that will bring your game on.

"No disrespect to Cardiff, but they are probably going to be fighting relegation for most of the season and if it does not work out come the end, if Tom has had a good season, then he will probably move on again."