July 15 2003

Spain Trip

The Crystal Palace squad touched down in Spain this week for pre-season training and notably Ade Akinbiyi and Danny Granville have been left behind.

The pair's future at the club look to be in doubt and Akinbiyi's representative Andrew Mills said: "Crystal Palace have made their intentions reasonably clear, the manager has already said Ade might not feature during this year.

"There aren't many options for Ade bar going out on loan but a loan move would not be of benefit to anyone because there are very few teams with the money to pay his wages.

"It's an uncomfortable position but he understands it. It's part of the politics of modern-day football."

Curtis Fleming is staying at home to concentrate on his fitness following his long-term injury and Wayne Routledge will be with the England Under-19 squad.

The squad are training at the Marpafut complex this week before facing Torremolinos, at the El Pozuelo stadium, on Friday.

The touring squad: Cedric Berthelin; Kit Symons; Darren Powell; Jamie Smith; Gary Borrowdale; Shaun Derry; Aki Riihilahti; Ben Surey; Dougie Freedman; Gareth Williams; Matt Clarke; Hayden Mullins; Tony Popovic; Danny Butterfield; Ben Watson;

Tommy Black; Gavin Heeroo and Andy Johnson.