May 25 2004

Julian Gray

It has been confirmed that Julian Gray will miss Saturday's play-off final against West Ham due to suspension.

The Eagles winger was sent off following two bookable offences in the play-off semi-final win over Sunderland.

While nobody could argue with his second yellow card - a foul on Jason McAteer - the first caution was very debatable.

Boss Iain Dowie was hoping to appeal against the decision, telling the South London Press: "I'm hoping the referee will look at it. Julian's first challenge was not a booking. There should be a bit of humanity about this."

But a league spokesman said: "If you get sent off in one of the play-off games, you automatically miss the next."

The loss of Gray will be a major blow for the Eagles and he is likely to quit the club in the summer.

In Depth Palace in the Play-offs 2004