February 24 2004

Darren Powell

Crystal Palace have accepted Reading's offer for DARREN POWELL.

Reading boss Steve Coppell had a £125,000 bid for POWELL, 27, initially rejected but has come back with an improved offer of around £250,000.

POWELL has been out of the Palace side for months with a thigh injury and just needs to agree personal terms with the Royals.

He will be reunited with Coppell who was his manager at Brentford. He joined Palace from the Bees for £400,000 in August 2002, and after a storming first season, has only played 12 times this campaign.

Palace may use the cash to tempt Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Mhyre to the club or buy on-loan centre-half Mark Hudson from Fulham.