July 11 2002

Crystal Palace

Kit Symons is set to miss the start of the season after injuring his groin again this week in training.

He had already missed a large chunk of last season with the same injury, but was set to make a return to the side for the friendlies after fully recovering.

Trevor Francis said: "I'm most worried about Kit because he's a key player.

"We thought after the first operation he would be alright but he had a reaction and will need another operation.

"He has hardly played a full game for me and it has thrown my plans into disarray."