Friday 3 March 2017 16:40, UK
Christian Benteke "will not dictate" his own future amid reports he is considering leaving Crystal Palace, manager Sam Allardyce has said.
The striker arrived from Liverpool last summer for a club-record fee of £27m but instead of transforming them into a top-10 team has found himself in another battle against relegation.
After last week's 1-0 defeat of Middlesbrough he argued with Andros Townsend at the final whistle after the winger chose to shoot instead of pass, and earlier this week was said to be debating leaving at the season's end.
"I think Christian Benteke signed a five-year contract [four], so we'll tell him what he'll do," said Allardyce, whose team on Saturday visit West Brom in the Premier League.
"He's our player and he'll not dictate what he wants to do or doesn't want to do, as far as I'm concerned. He accepted that contract in good faith.
"If both parties agree then that's a different matter but for me, rumours like that at this stage of the season: I wouldn't have thought he had said that.
"It's another rumour from another source which generally happens in the transfer window, not around this time. (It's the) usual speculation to try and stir the pot, I suppose."
Allardyce was then asked if he expected to see more from the striker, and he responded: "No. He's scored 11 goals this season: in a struggling side that's a pretty good return.
"He hasn't scored recently and he was terribly frustrated last week he didn't score towards the end when Andros could have fed him. He lives on goals; he's a goal machine.
"We need our players to put him into good positions and give him the right type of ball so that he can score more goals."
The manager plans to capitalise on Palace's elimination from the FA Cup and the fact they do not have a fixture next week by taking his team away for a warm-weather break.
A previously-planned trip to Dubai had been cancelled after they lost 4-0 at home to Sunderland, and Allardyce has stressed the importance of them avoiding defeat on Saturday as they attempt to rescue their season.
"Winning gives you a lift but I would remind the lads about the lift we got winning at Bournemouth and then what we did against Sunderland," he said.
"If we win it'll be outstanding back-to-back victories but if not, please let's come away with a good result, a point.
"Scott Dann is fit to start. Whether he will play: there is a strong squad available for selection. But the team who played last week made a big statement as regards whether I change the side. The only consideration is tactically against West Brom, which might disappoint some, but then again might not.
"We've got to win three on the trot or three out of four or four out of five to get us out of trouble."
