January 20 2005

Wayne Routledge

Crystal Palace are bracing themselves for new bids for winger Wayne Routledge after assistant manager KIT SYMONS revealed the club envisages an offer in the next few days, by Stuart Pink.

The 20-year-old rejected the offer of a new five-year contract last week which has put Premiership clubs on alert in the bid to sign him up before the end of the January transfer window, with Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City favourites for his signature.

SYMONS said: "There's a strong likelihood of that. I hope for everyone concerned that this will be resolved one way or another, sooner rather than later.

"People have been sniffing around, there will be ongoing discussions with that this week I imagine."

But SYMONS is still hoping the England U21 star will have a dramatic change of heart and stay with the Eagles, despite declaring last week he wanted a fresh challenge.

SYMONS said: "Football can work in so many different ways, but it's not a done deal that Wayne's gone, I think it could turn around.

"All the time he's a Palace player he will be treated right by us, certainly at the minute he's a very valued player in our squad."

Routledge was given a mixed reception by Palace fans at the City of Manchester Stadium last week, but this Saturday's clash with Routledge's potential suitors Tottenham at Selhurst Park should give a clearer indication of how the Palace faithful really feel about his expected departure.

SYMONS said: "If people play with the passion and desire that the fans demand, whatever's gone on, the fans will get behind them.

"As long as Wayne's performances are full of determination and grit, the Palace fans are quite a switched on crowd and I think they will appreciate that."

Palace defender Emmerson Boyce is one of only a few Eagles players to comment on the Routledge situation, and he echoes SYMONS' thoughts that the Palace fans should get behind the young winger.

Boyce said: "People make decisions in life, like I came here from Luton and could have done the same thing and you have to do what is right for yourself.

"Everyone has to remember what he has done for the club, he was part of the team that got the club promoted.

"He is a top, top player. He will give 100 per cent in every game - that is the sort of player he is.

"Everyone makes their own decisions and whatever will be will be. But now he is a Palace player and he will put 100 per cent into it."

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