April 29 2009

Johannes Ertl

JOHANNES ERTL has vowed to stay at Crystal Palace and fight for a place in the team.

The Austrian central defender, 26, had been playing for the reserves all season but is enjoying a rare run of first team matches in an unfavoured central midfield role due to injuries.

He made his first start of he campaign since signing from Austria Vienna last summer against Derby on April 18 and has kept his place in the starting XI.

ERTL saw a move to Norweigian club Valerenga fall through earlier in the season after Danny Butterfield joined Charlton on loan but insists his future lies at Selhurst Park.

He said: "I wanted to stay at the club - I didn’t want to go because it is a big goal for me to establish myself in the first team.

"For me, to stay at this club is one of my biggest goals because it’s a massive club with really good supporters. I really just have to focus on the Sheffield United game and then I will have a chat with the gaffer.

"The first season has been a great experience and a challenge. That's the reason why I’m here - I’ve learned a lot. England is the place to be and I feel my game is suited to this country."