December 15 2004

Sandor Torghelle

Iain Dowie has backed SANDOR TORGHELLE over play acting accusations by Blackburn defender Craig Short and insists the striker is still part of his long-term plans, by Stuart Pink.

The 22-year-old Hungarian was accused of feigning injury after the defender's challenge at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

But Dowie is happy with TORGHELLE's explanation. He said: "SANDOR said that he got a finger in the eye, not an elbow. I spoke to him last night and he said it caught his eye ball and that's what hurt him.

"If you watch him in training he is not a cheat, he's a lad who's very honest and works hard, but I will have a little word to him about it."

The Palace boss also dismissed speculation that the striker will be sold in the transfer window, after rumours of a potential bid from Italian giants Roma.

Dowie added: "As far as I'm concerned he's staying at the club, I bought him as a raw young lad who had a great goal record and probably over achieved earlier on. "

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