Crystal Palace are lining up a move for former AC Milan and Italy striker Alberto Gilardino, according to reports.

Gilardino, 35, has been without a club since leaving Pescara earlier this year.

And Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is in the market for a striker after star man Christian Benteke was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury.

Palace are bottom of the Premier League after losing seven successive games and failing to score.

And ESPN says Hodgson could turn to Gilardino to solve his goal-shy team’s problems.

In the absence of Benteke and Conor Wickham, who has been injured with a knee problem since December, winger Bakary Sako led the line in Palace’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.

Gilardino would bring top-flight experience to the Eagles' squad after spending several years in Serie A with clubs such as AC Milan, Fiorentina and Genoa.

He has won the World Cup and Champions League during his illustrious career.