June 28 2010

Dean Austin

Former Crystal Palace defender DEAN AUSTIN has been appointed first team coach.

AUSTIN, 40, who spent four years as a Palace player, has had previous managerial experience at Southend United and Watford.

New boss George Burley told the Croydon Advertiser: "I'm bringing in DEAN AUSTIN to help myself and Dougie [Freedman].

"Obviously he knows the club well. He will work alongside us with the first team and will also help with scouting."

Burley has confirmed that he will continue to bring in more backroom staff members in the coming weeks.

"The administration has left us rather short in terms of staff at the training ground, but by the time the players return for pre-season on Thursday we hope to have everything ready", he said.

After the announcement this week of the CVA being agreed by Palace's creditors, Burley has been told that he is able to start the process of bringing in new playing staff - Ipswich defender David Wright's name has been rumoured to be the first.

"I've been told that I can bring people in and we are working on a number of deals," he said. "Nothing is done officially with David yet but he is one we are trying to sign."