Dann the man as Pardew seeks more strikers

Alan Pardew has re-emphasised his desire for defender Scott Dann to remain at Selhurst Park by naming him Crystal Palace captain for the season.

The centre-back has attracted admiring glances from Arsenal and Everton, despite signing a new five-year deal last summer.

A stellar Premier League campaign pushed the 29-year-old into contention for a surprise call-up to England’s Euro 2016 squad.

And, in a bid to keep his star defender in south London, Pardew has handed Dann the armband in place of Mile Jedinak, himself expected to leave before the summer is out.

“Mile has been legendary for the football club and a brilliant leader but I just thought it was time for a change,” said Pardew.

“Scott will carry it well and hopefully that proves to be the case.”

(Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Though Dann is not likely to be on the move, a trio of strikers – Emmanuel Adebayor, Marouane Chamakh and Dwight Gayle – have all left Selhurst Park this summer.

And Pardew admits his needs reinforcements.

“The fans are looking for another striker to come in, and they will, hopefully there will be two because we’re short in that department,” he added.

“It’s a difficult market which will start moving and we need to be well poised for that move.

“We have four or five [targets] which we could possibly bring in and move us forward.”