March 10 2004

Iain Dowie

Dowie has renewed his search for a goalkeeper after the Football League blocked his bid to sign Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts on loan, writes Joe O'Shea.

The 22-year-old is on loan at Bolton from Jamaican side Village United, and visited Palace last Tuesday to sort out a month's deal, only to be told by the league that a loan player could not be loaned to another club.

Dowie has since run two keepers through their paces at New Beckenham and is expected

to sign Charlton's former Portuguese Under 21 captain Sergio Leite on loan this week.

The 24-year-old former Boavista stopper has yet to make a first team appearance for the Addicks, but kept a clean sheet for Palace reserves against Norwich last month.

Dowie said: "We have had a lot of targets. Three or four Premiership clubs said they can't let keepers out, so you go and get Donovan and think it's sorted out, but that doesn't come off because of some spurious rule.

"We have had another keeper in since then and we are hopeful but there is an issue with work permits and international clearance."

Neil Shipperley is expected to return in place of Dougie Freedman against Forest on Saturday, and new signing Mikele Leigertwood will make his full debut as Mark Hudson is suspended. Palace's appeal against the loan signing's red card for a professional foul against Gillingham has been rejected.

Michael Hughes missed training this week for family reasons, but is expected to partner Shaun Derry in midfield. Ben Watson is back in training after his hernia operation and could figure for the reserves at Millwall tonight (Wednesday).

Live Croydon Guardian text commentary