Leroy Lita will not be joining Crystal Palace after manager Neil Warnock revealed the club were priced out of a deal.

The 24-year-old was released by Reading at the end of last season and was reported to be the subject of a three-way tug-of-war between Palace, Leicester City and QPR.

Warnock, however, has played down the rumours and does not expect Lita to move to SE25.

"We have never been in that," he said.

"We cannot afford his wages and there is not a chance of him coming here.

"I think his people just used us to get interest really."

One striker close to joining the club is Trinidad & Tobago's Stern John, who has agreed personal terms but has not yet signed a contract, with a few outstanding issues left to be resolved.

Defender Claude Davis is also likely to sign on a free transfer from Derby County but must first apply for a work permit which could take up to a month.