August 30 2002

Trevor Francis

Palace travel to Burnley on Saturday, looking to pick up points against a side who have lost all four of their games so far this season.

Burnley are without Arthur Gnohere, who is serving the third game of a three-match suspension. Steve Davis (calf) is doubtful but Tony Grant (foot) should make a return to the squad.

Burnley boss Stan Ternent said after their recent game against Reading, in which they lost 3-0: "I thought we could have four or five in the second half, but nothing is going right for us. "But if we keep playing like that then we will be OK.

"Things have a habit of levelling themselves out over a season."

A less than satisfied Ternent said after the drubbing: "I am embarrassed to be gaffer of this team. Everything went wrong. A blind man on a galloping horse could see that."

Palace have six players who played against Leicester who are doubtful for/out of the game on Saturday.

Palace's Shaun Derry won't feature in the game, after breaking his nose against Leicester. With Derry missing from midfield, Tommy Black maybe drafted in after scoring 2 goals for the reserves in midweek. Matt Clarke was also having a last fitness test, on a knee injury picked up on Tuesday night.

Trevor Francis told The South London Press: "I read before the match that Leicester had a huge injury list before meeting us. It seems a bit of an irony that we now have a big injury list after meeting them. My players came in for some terrible tackles and that was why I said at the end I was pleased that they had stood their ground against them and earned a point."