Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock is still hopeful a deal can be struck for Chelsea's on-loan forward Scott Sinclair but is not expecting any help from local rivals Charlton.

Sinclair, 18, joined the Addicks on loan at the end of February to pick up more game time, but the former Bristol Rovers youngster struggled to break into the first team and did not even make the squad for the 2-0 defeat at Ipswich last week.

And Warnock - who tried to sign Sinclair in February only to lose out to Alan Pardew's side - is still eyeing a compromise to allow the England U21 starlet a spell at Selhurst Park.

"I don't think we'll be able to get him because the first month of his loan at Charlton doesn't finish until after the deadline," Warnock said when asked about a straightforward temporary transfer.

"I did speak to him before he went there, told him he could play every game with us, but obviously they thought Charlton was a bigger fish - I suppose, in the position they were in, they were a bigger fish.

"But he hasn't played much has he? And that's what he went out for - games. It's a shame when I see that because he could have played every game for us."

Chelsea are also likely to be disappointed Sinclair is not seeing more competitive action and might be amenable to sending him to Palace, who have risen to seventh under Warnock.

Palace are just outside the play-off places and one point ahead of Charlton, who have slipped from title contenders to ninth after a woeful run of recent form.

However, any deal to bring Sinclair - who can also play on the wing - to Palace would also be dependent on the Addicks agreeing to release him, something Warnock is not expecting.

"I don't know if Chelsea can recall him, I don't think they can for the first 28 days," the former Sheffield United manager mused.

"Normally you sign for three months but [Chelsea] can have a 24-hour recall, in case they get an injury, or I think they can mutually call him back after 28 days if all three parties are in agreement.

"But that's the only chance we've got of having him - so I don't expect any help before next Thursday [March 27]."

The Championship loan deadline expires on Friday, March 28, with Sinclair having signed exactly a month previously.

Reda Maher / Eurosport