February 1 2002

Crystal Palace

Sheffield United defender SHAUN MURPHY has joined Palace on a month's loan.

Trevor Francis has suffered a setback with first choice centre backs Tony Popovic and Kit Symons both out with groin injuries picked up in the match against Coventry City on Tuesday night. MURPHY has been drafted as cover while the pair recover.

MURPHY won United's player of the year for the 2000-01 season and also scored Australia's winning goal against Brazil back in June last year, in the Confederations Cup.

He was signed in time to be available for selection for tomorrow's match against Sheffield Wednesday.