Crystal Palace midfielder goes out on loan

Crystal Palace have confirmed that young midfielder Jake Gray has joined League Two side Hartlepool United on a four-week loan.

The 19-year-old will go straight into Ronnie Moore’s squad for this weekend’s FA Cup tie with Cheltenham Town,the club who Gray spent time with last season on loan earlier this year.

The youngster has had a taste of first-team action at Palace, albeit limited. He came on as substitute twice in the League Cup last season but has failed to see any Premier League action so far, despite being named on the substitute’s bench on a few occasions.

Hartlepool need all the help they can get at the minute. They are currently 19th in League Two and are battling for their football league survival.

The midfielder has played in 12 Under 21 matches for Palace this season, but the club have decided that playing competitive first-team football, even at a lower level, will be beneficial to his development.