Palace v Blackburn Rovers

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Curtis Fleming

Team news

Joint-caretaker Lennie Lawrence has followed former Eagles boss Dougie Freedman to Bolton, leaving Curtis Fleming at the helm.

Fleming is assisted by development coach Jamie Fullarton and first-team captain Paddy McCarthy who is still sidelined with a groin injury. Jonathan Williams is a doubt due to a groin strain.

Henning Berg makes his debut as Blackburn manager and has David Dunn out with a calf injury. Midfielder Jason Lowe and Fabio Nunes (both hamstring) are also missing.

Markus Olsson (hamstring), Gael Givet (leg) and Simon Vukcevic (groin) are available.

Quotes

Lennie Lawrence

"I'm delighted it's all been sorted out amicably. My first loyalty is to Dougie. My time at Crystal Palace has been hugely enjoyable and I'm glad we go on such a high.

"I'd like to thank the owners for their support - especially when times weren't so good - the players for their efforts and the fans.

"The supporters have been outstanding from day one, when we were battling relegation, to Leicester last Saturday, where they were different class.

"We've had ups and downs but it has been a hugely positive experience. Hopefully Palace go on and continue to challenge this season.

"Dougie brought me to the football club, while you're an employee you always do your best and we proved that last week. My loyalty is to Dougie and that is why I'm going."

Julian Speroni

"I could be political and say it's football and these things happen, which is true. But, to be completely honest, I felt like someone had kicked me right in the testicles.

"Especially after all these years. We've worked so hard to get in this position - finally things are going well - and now we need to change everything.

"I feel disappointed. Sad. It is hard to understand. I'm not having a go at Dougie Freedman - he is a great manager and I think he'll do well.

"I'm sure he had to make a decision and he had to do what was best for him, his career and his family. That is completely right. But I ask myself the question, can we really build something?"

Blackburn Rovers - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
5th	13	6	5	2	23

Full league table

Blackburn Rovers - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
8	3	3	2	7	6

Full form table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
20/04/2005	League	Blackburn Rovers	1 - 0	Crystal Palace
11/12/2004	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Blackburn Rovers
22/12/2000	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 3	Blackburn Rovers
12/08/2000	League	Blackburn Rovers	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
29/04/2000	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 1	Blackburn Rovers

All time results

Last meeting

Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Palace

Wednesday April 20 2005

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Matteo, Mokoena, Emerton, Savage (Tugay, 45), Reid, Pedersen (Thompson, 75), Stead

Subs not used: Flitcroft, Enckelman, Gallagher

Bookings: Mokoena, Reid, Savage

Goals: Pedersen 45

Palace: Kiraly, Butterfield (Popovic, 76), Hall, Sorondo, Borrowdale, Routledge, Leigertwood, Hughes, Kolkka (Soares, 45), Johnson, Freedman (Torghelle, 60)

Subs not used Speroni, Shipperley

Bookings: Butterfield, Sorondo