When Ian Holloway nearly signed Nicklas Bendtner for Crystal Palace

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Ian Holloway has revealed he nearly signed Nicklas Bendtner while manager of Crystal Palace, and has described the Danish striker as a player who "needs to be loved".

Holloway was in charge at Selhurst Park between November 2012 and October 2013, and tried to sign Bendtner, who has just moved to Nottingham Forest, in the summer of 2013.

Holloway also compared the 28-year-old with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but insists his fitness rate and goalscoring ability does not match the Swede's. 

"I nearly signed Nicklas Bendtner at Crystal Palace," Holloway told Sky Sports. "I actually really liked him as a person. If we had got the deal done, I reckon I could've got something out of him. 

"He's a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-type of player in terms of ability, the only difference is Ibrahimovic keeps himself fit and is able to keep scoring.