Patrick Vieira to receive midfield boost in February despite failing with Donny van de Beek deal

Despite failing to bring Donny van de Beek to Selhurst Park on loan this month, things aren't all doom and gloom for Crystal Palace.

The Eagles were pipped to the Dutch midfielder's signature by Everton, with the Toffees reportedly covering van de Beek's full £100,000-a-week salary as well as paying Manchester United a sizeable loan fee to secure his arrival at Goodison Park.

Palace manager Patrick Vieira had been hoping to bolster his squad with some signings this window, but as of yet, there's been no movement of any kind for the Eagles.

"If it happens, it's good. If it doesn't happen then I am pleased with the players that we have," Vieira said at the start of the month, warning that the January window was a notoriously difficult market to manoeuvre in.

And while that's proving to be true - Palace have also struggled to close a deal for Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah this month - Vieira will still be boosted by two key players returning that will feel like new signings.

Experienced midfielders James McArthur and Cheikhou Kouyate have both been missed during their separate absences, with McArthur (34) having been sidelined since November with a hamstring injury while Kouyate (32) has been at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal throughout January.

February could see both return to action, with Vieira confirming that McArthur was set to get back into training with his team this week after time spent doing individual sessions.

The Scotsman was one of Palace's most important players at the start of the season and formed a strong partnership with Conor Gallagher, allowing the Chelsea loanee to flourish further up the field.

Kouyate's return depends on how far Senegal go at AFCON. He is set to take on Equatorial Guinea