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Crystal Palace

Duo back in reckoning

The Eagles are set to welcome back Fan Zhiyi and Craig Harrison into their squad for the visit of Crewe to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Zhiyi has been training all week following a hamstring injury that has troubled him for almost the whole of this year.

Harrison has been missing from the squad recently through suspension and an injury to his shoulder which he dislocated in training.

New signing from Valerenga Aki Riihilahte is poised to make his first start for the club following an impressive showing against England last weekend.

Hayden Mullins has been ruled out of the next two games through suspension after picking up ten yellow cards this season.

Kenny Verhoene, the Belgium defender on trial for the rest of the season, could win a place on the bench as The Eagles look for their first home win over Crewe for 37 years.

Palace: Kolinko, Upson, Austin, Harrison, Zhiyi, Rodger, Riihilahte, Hopkin, Freedman, Forssell, Rubins.

Hopkin feeling no pressure

David Hopkin admits that it didn't take much to persuade him to make his return to The Eagles from Bradford City.

Hopkin looks to be back to his best following the switch from the Premier League strugglers earlier in the month.

The former Scottish international left The Eagles for Leeds United in a £4 million deal four years ago after helping the club in the Premier League.

Hopkin says that he doesn't feel any pressure being placed on his shoulders to get the club out of the mire near the foot of the First Division table.

"The move came out of the blue and I didn't need much convincing to come back because I had two great years here.

"But I don't feel under any pressure right now coming back into the situation that we are in. And to be honest I have never felt any pressure.

"I wouldn't have come back here if I thought this club was going to go down.

"I'm positive about things. And I'm encouraged by what I have seen in training," he said.

Quid a kid for Terriers' visit

Palace are offering all under 16's entry to Tuesday's re-arranged game against Huddersfield Town for just £1.

The reduced price tickets must be purchased before the day of the game.

The club has confirmed that tickets carried over from the original date of the fixture on New Year's Day will also be valid.

If you can't make it to the game this weekend why not get your copy of the programme from Programme Master.

Thursday, March 29, 2001

Mullins gets two-match ban

Hayden Mullins has been handed a two-match suspension after picking up 10 yellow cards and is ruled out of this weekend's clash with Crewe. Mullins - suspension blow

The former England under-21 international also misses the showdown with fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town and could face a Football Association commission if he picks up another five yellow cards between now and the end of the season.

Alan Smith will have to re-shuffle his side to accommodate the loss of Mullins who returned to the side recently after a spell on bench.

Fan Zhiyi could be recalled to the side if he manages to recover from a hamstring injury that has troubled him for the past two months. Zhiyi has been training this week and Smith will make a late decision about whether or not to include him in the squad.

Morrison - It's Liverpool's fault

Clinton Morrison believes that the downturn for The Eagles' season came in the Worthington Cup semi-final hammering at the hands of Liverpool.

After winning the first-leg at Selhurst Park Alan Smith's youngsters were given the hammering of their lives in the return. Since then The Eagles have lost their seven games and have slipped into the edge of the relegation zone and face a battle to beat the drop.

Morrison says that the poor run of form is playing on the player's minds but it is something that they will have to get over. "Each game is vital from now on. We cannot allow ourselves to get sucked into the relegation battle," said Morrison. "It is important that we maintain our status in this division. We have a young and talented side here and next year we will be looking to improve and build on what we have achieved.

"I hope that in twelve months time, we can be pushing for promotion to the Premiership," added Morrison.

Dean Austin wants joint effort

Dean Austin admits that The Eagles must start giving more effort as a team before the end of the season if they are to beat the drop.

Austin believes that players as individuals cannot be faulted but it is when they came to playing as a group that things go wrong.

The former Spurs and Southend United man says that there is nothing wrong with the spirit among the players at the club.

"We must give more as a team or group. But I cannot fault our effort. It is just our organisation as a group. Players have got to turn five out of 10 to sevens or eights out of 10.

"We must get better and stronger and it needs to happen quickly. But the spirit among the boys is fine," said Austin.