Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock demands more from striker Dwight Gayle

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock has urged Dwight Gayle to prove his worth after the striker slipped down the pecking order at Selhurst Park.

The 24-year-old has struggled to hold down a starting role, despite netting six goals in his brief appearances for the Eagles.

Warnock admits the former Peterborough player has failed to impress in training and was ‘disappointed’ with his contribution as a late substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Stoke.

"He hasn't pushed himself into pole position in training really," said Warnock. "I was disappointed when he came on against Stoke if I'm honest.

"And in training he's not really knocked my door down.

"It's like Wilfried (Zaha) earlier on: they've got to show me what they can do in training, to get back in the team.

"At the moment, the lads who are in the team have got the shirts really, and it's up to others to knock the door down, saying 'I'm doing this well, I should be back in the team', which is not happening."

Palace’s lack of firepower has hindered them in recent weeks, with the team scoring just once in their last three Premier League games.

Warnock has made no secret of his desire to bring in a new striker and reports suggest the south Londoners are interested in Swansea duo Bafetimbi Gomis and Michu.

"Everybody knows we'd like two or three players in January," said the Palace manager. "It would have been nice to have more of a physical presence to come on against Stoke.

"It's not an easy time to buy in January. But I'm optimistic we can get the right ones in as quickly as we can in January, rather than at the end of the window.

"We're talking three or four different areas. We have to have some players that are better than what we have.

"It's pointless otherwise: in that situation we might as well go with what we've got.

"I do feel we need two or three players that could come into the first team, and give us more choice rather than sit on the substitutes' bench."