QPR defender Steven Caulker admits he almost joined Crystal Palace last summer.

Caulker had the opportunity to join both clubs from Cardiff but opted for an £8m switch to Loftus Road with the opportunity to work with veteran centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Richard Dunne key to his decision.

He said: "There were talks with Palace, but I spoke to Rio before I came and QPR was a club I watched growing up as a kid.

"The influence of Rio and Richard made me think I could learn from them."