September 26 2003

Julian Gray

JULIAN Gray admits he may have to return to the club he says is blocking his dream move to the Premiership, by Chris Fidler.

Still exiled from first-team football two months into the season, Gray is hoping the latest club to show an interest in him, Blackburn Rovers, won't be put off by Crystal Palace's compensation demands of £500,000.

But he admits that he may have to come back to Palace on a week-to-week contract at the end of this month if the situation is not resolved soon.

The winger has been training with Blackburn for two weeks now, and says the club's manager Graeme Souness wants to sign him. But the 24-year-old fears any deal could be scuppered just like the previous two proposed moves to Leeds United and Charlton Athletic, when the clubs balked at Palace's compensation demands due under Football League rules for players aged 24 and under.

He told the South London Press: "I can see his (Palace chairman Simon Jordan) point of view that he wants to make as much money as possible from me. But on the other side of the coin is the fact I feel am being held back from playing football."

"I have had three Premiership clubs interested in me and saying they would like to sign me and two of those moves have fallen through.

"It is getting frustrating, I just want to play football. I train all week but there is nothing to look forward to on Saturdays."

Gray added: "If this latest move falls through there is a chance I would have to go back to Palace on a week-to-week contract.

"That means I would be back training in Beck-enham and if I was asked to play for the first team I would have to do so."

Gray says he would not have a problem with anybody at the club if he did return.

He added: "My contract ended and I wanted to play in the Premiership and clubs were interested in me, so people understand it was a career move for me.

"I haven't got a problem with anyone at the club as far as I am concerned. "There are no bad feelings with other players there or anyone who works for Palace."

The former Arsenal trainee also revealed the Eagles are still paying his wages, because if they stopped, the club would not be eligible for compensation.

Gray claims that he has been badly advised by his agent or people around him, and says they are not the reason for his career being in limbo.

"My people don't get involved. They had nothing to do with the Leeds or Charlton move breaking

down," insisted Gray. "It has always been people from the interested club and people from Crystal Palace sitting down in a room discussing a deal. I don't know what goes on in there."

Gray says if the latest proposed move to Blackburn breaks down he may have to get the PFA involved in his case.

He said: "I haven't really thought about that as I am hoping Blackburn will sign me. But it is something I may have to consider.

"I have missed enough football already and am keeping my fingers crossed Blackburn and Palace can agree on compensation."