Roy Hodgson says Crystal Palace will not roll over against Cardiff

Roy Hodgson says Crystal Palace would not disrespect the Premier League by rolling over against Cardiff in order to pile pressure on bitter rivals Brighton.

Palace, who secured their top-flight status with a fine victory at Arsenal last month, will effectively send Cardiff back to the Championship if the hosts fail to win due to their goal difference compared to Brighton.

Some Palace supporters have suggested they would rather lose at Cardiff on Saturday evening, in order to thwart Brighton's Premier League survival hopes.

But Hodgson said: "Palace fans don't really believe that. They might say those things, but it is bravado, laddish.

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"They will be expecting me to put out the best team that is most capable of winning the game. I know it's exceptionally irritating for teams who are fighting an important battle at the top of the table, or fighting relegation, to find that suddenly they've got a difficult opponent this week, but the team they are fighting against are playing a side that doesn't care, and is virtually handing the game on a plate.

"If you ask me if that's wrong and we shouldn't be doing that, then I would agree one hundred per cent. I don't think any of us should be disrespectful of the importance of a Premier League fixture."

Hodgson, meanwhile, says it is unclear whether he will retain the services of Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi next season. The 25-year-old has scored three times in 11 appearances since moving to Palace on a loan deal in January.

Hodgson will sit down with the club's chairman Steve Parish to discuss their transfer options at the end of the campaign.

"We will have a meeting and until such time I have got no idea what finances and funds will be available," said Hodgson.

"Batshuayi is a Chelsea player, so as far as I am concerned it will have to be a question as much for Chelsea as us. We can't just presume that he is available."