Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has revealed he went to bed while management were attempting to get Michy Batshuayi's deal over the line.

The Eagles swooped in before the January transfer deadline to sign the Chelsea striker on loan until the end of the season.

After a race against the clock, the deal was finally completed at 12.15am after the two clubs submitted the appropriate paperwork to the Premier League.

"I went to bed not knowing [if it had been completed]," said 71-year-old Hodgson.

"But it was a pleasant surprise to wake up to [sporting director] Doug Freedman's text that it had been done."

Chelsea were keen to offload the 25-year-old after a dismal loan spell at Valencia ended prematurely.

"I knew at about 8.30pm [on Thursday] that a deal could be on and had been agreed with Chelsea," Hodgson added.

"I don't know the ins and outs, but I knew it was a distinct possibility and one we wanted to pursue.

"Doug kept me informed up to 11pm. I knew about as much as everyone else because it was that close. It was that dramatic; our form and application was one of the last ones in, maybe the very last.

"Then it was about international clearance, after the 11pm deadline, so I didn't find out until late on, after a tiring night on Thursday."