February 17 2004

Tony Popovic

Crystal Palace manager IAIN DOWIE may have to change his winning side, writes Chris Fidler.

Defender Tony Popovic jetted off to Venezuela for Australia's friendly in Caracas at the weekend after Palace's fifth win in a row --Saturday's 6-3 thrashing of Stoke.

But DOWIE fears the trip could rule Popovic out of the Eagles' clash at Derby on Saturday. If so, DOWIE would have to change his line-up for the first time in three games.

He said: "I never stop players playing for their country, but Tony's not over-enamoured with the trip.

"He won't have a lot of preparation for the game at Derby as he flies back on Friday afternoon."

DOWIE is also hoping Northern Ireland's Michael Hughes and England U19 pair Wayne Routledge and Gary Borrowdale come through games for their countries this week unscathed.