August 9 2003

Crystal Palace

Former Wimbledon and Stoke defender Mark Williams hopes to sign with Palace next week.

Palace are a defender short coming into the new season as Hayden Mullins is recovering from a hernia operation.

Williams has been on trial for the past two weeks, including a substitute appearance against Chelsea, and has impressed boss Steve Kember.

Williams said: "At this stage I have no idea what Crystal Palace will be able to offer me, but if it's okay, I would like to stay.

"It's a big club with a large fanbase and more importantly they have a good team which I believe can challenge near the top of the first division.

"I live in nearby Wimbledon, the club plays at Selhurst Park (which of course I'm pretty used to), two of the Palace players live in my village, and I also know Neil Shipperley and Michael Hughes very well from their time with the Dons. So all in all, it would be a perfect move for me!

"However, I don't want to get too carried away before I speak to the manager on Monday because you never know what can happen in football."