August 7 2003

Michael Hughes

MICHAEL HUGHES will sign for Crystal Palace this week, to hand Steve Kember a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday's big kick off against Burnley, writes Joseph O'Shea.

Out-of-contract midfielder HUGHES, 31, will put pen to paper this week, after impressing the new Palace boss in the recent pre-season friendlies against PSV Eindhoven and Chelsea.

Kember had previously stated that he would not be able to sign the Northern Ireland international until contract rebel Julian Gray had been sold.

But with the new season just days away, Kember has been given the green light by chairman Simon Jordan who was also impressed with HUGHES’ displays at the heart of Palace’s midfield.

HUGHES’ signature gives Kember options in central midfield, and Shaun Derry looks likely to get the nod ahead of Aki Riihilahti for Saturday’s trip to Burnley, if defenders Tony Popovic and Darren Powell recover from knocks as expected.

Meanwhile Gray’s £750,000 transfer to Charlton now looks likely to go ahead after the winger scored for the Addicks in a pre-season friendly against QPR on Monday.

Because of sell on clause with Gray’s former club Arsenal, Jordan has held out for more than the £500,000 Leeds were willing to offer, and Charlton are likely to table a higher offer to stop the matter going to tribunal.

When that money becomes available, Kember may be given funds to further strengthen his squad, with a left-sided player a priority.

Transfer-listed left back Danny Granville had a hernia operation on Tuesday, leaving Gary Borrowdale, 18, as Kember’s only recognised left wing back, but Wayne Routledge may be drafted in to cover.

Former Wimbledon player defender Mark Williams, 32, has been handed an extended trial and played for the reserves against Fulham on Tuesday night.

Released by Wimbledon in the summer, Northern Ireland international Williams was an impressive second half substitute against Chelsea.

With Hayden Mullins out for the first three games of the season after a hernia operation, Curtis Fleming short of full fitness and regular centre backs Powell and Popovic carrying minor knocks, Kember is short of defensive cover.

Kember said: "We have only got three centre halves unless I shift Shaun Derry back there."

"I have got virtually everybody to pick from apart from Hayden and Danny Granville. It's definitely beginning to take shape and there is a belief in the squad now."