April 4 2002

Crystal Palace

On-loan defender SHAUN MURPHY has returned to Sheffield United after being on-loan for two months.

In his eleven games at Palace, he performed well after stepping in for the injured Kit Symons and Tony Popovic.

Now the transfer deadline has passed, Palace are unable to extend the defender's loan period. The Australian international is very keen to move to Selhurst.

Assistant Coach Terry Bullivant was pleased with the defender's efforts for the club. He said: "SHAUN did very well but we're looking at all our options for next season because it doesn't look like we'll get into the play-offs.

"There will be a lot of players available in the summer and he might be one of them. The deal is not dead because we rate him highly and we might go back in for him."

Jamie Smith has had a second knee operation and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Symons' season is also over after breaking down in his comeback, but Popovic is hopeful of returning to the side for the Crewe game on Sunday.

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