NEW Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis will not be making a January transfer window bid for Blackburn Rovers top scorer Jordan Rhodes.

Pulis was linked with a move for the 11-goal striker shortly after taking over as Eagles boss last month.

But the former Stoke City manager says Palace cannot afford Rhodes.

Pulis said: “We'll get linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry from now until the end of the window.

“But the answer is no, we couldn’t afford Jordan Rhodes.”

Rhodes has scored 39 goals in 68 games for Rovers since making a club record £8m transfer from Huddersfield Town in August 2012.

Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has been told by owners Venky’s that he does not have to sell Rhodes, or any other of his key players, when the transfer window reopens next month.