April 6 2004

Ben Watson

Palace’s out-standing midfield prospect Ben Watson will sign his first professional contract with Palace this summer after the club made him an improved offer, by Joseph O'Shea.

The 18-year-old rejected an initial offer in October, because it was below what his advisors expected for a first team regular.

He would have been free to sign for another club in July, but Iain Dowie persuaded chairman Simon Jordan to improve the terms and keep one of Palace’s most prized youth assets at the club.

Dowie said: "The chairman and I came to an agreement and I will put that to Ben and see what he says. I think he will be happy with that, I would be amazed if he wasn’t."

The Camberwell youngster is on the verge of a first team recall after a hernia operation which kept him out for two months and says he will be more than happy to sign.

Watson said: "At the moment nothing has actually been offered, but the gaffer has told me he wants me to stay. He told me he’ll help me get the contract I want. I just want to sign as soon as possible.

"I always wanted to sign for Palace, but especially since the new gaffer’s come in. He has made me want to sign even more. He’s like a player’s manager, one of the lads."

The futures of Michael Hughes, Aki Riihilahti, Tony Popovic, Jamie Smith, and Kit Symons who are all out of contract in the summer are still to be decided, but Dowie is expecting to make offers soon.

Youngsters Gavin Heeroo, Ben Surey and 35-year-old Curtis Fleming have all been released.

Meanwhile DOUGIE FREEDMAN is fit for the Easter schedule after knee, and with the exception of Darren Powell (thigh) Dowie has a full squad to chose from.

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