March 4 2005

Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie has confirmed that striker NICOLA VENTOLA is still some way off a return to first team action, despite the Italian earmarking this Saturday's fixture with Manchester United as a possible comeback date, by Stuart Pink.

VENTOLA told the Croydon Guardian in January that he was hoping to make his comeback from an ankle injury in time for United's visit to Selhurst Park, but the former Inter star will have to wait a little longer to make his long-awaited return.

Dowie said: "It's going to be another two weeks before he's anywhere near football I think, he's running now outside which is great. I think it's his first two days of running outside, he's coming on.

"But he's feeling good and I think he likes it around here.

"We hope to have him back by the end of the season because he could be a big boost."

With United in Champions League action next week, Alex Ferguson is expected to rest some of his stars for the clash, but is likely to give Ruud Van Nistlerooy another start following his return from injury, alongside either Alan Smith or Louis Saha.

But Dowie is hoping his managerial counterpart does rest his captain, as the Palace boss believes Roy Keane's importance to Manchester United can not be underestimated.

Dowie said: "He's a wonderful example of what's good about English football.

"He's back to the form he was. I've always been a great admirer of him. I've read his book, which was very interesting and entertaining, but he's a top player.

"He's the heartbeat of the team and he sets the tempo but they've got good players; Scholes against Everton was magnificent."

Saturday's game looks likely to come too early for Aki Riihilahti, who is still nursing the reoccurrence of a calf injury he suffered against Arsenal last month.

Dowie also admitted that Darren Powell will be close to being considered for selection after a thigh injury, along with Wayne Andrews, who is nursing a hamstring problem, and Tony Popovic who has been ill.

One player definitely out of the clash is Danny Butterfield, who is likely to be out for four weeks with a hernia injury, which was operated on yesterday (Tuesday).

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