August 13 2004

FA Premiership

Palace will be looking to get off to a good start in their opening Premiership match of the season against fellow relegation favourites Norwich.

The Eagles' squad has been bolstered by the signing of defender Fitz Hall from Southampton and keeper Gabor Kiraly from Hertha Berlin this week.

Hall is likely to make his debut in the centre of defence, while Kiraly will have to make do with a place on the bench. New keeper Julian Speroni has had a terrific pre-season and will keep his place inbetween the sticks.

Danny Butterfield (hamstring) and Neil Shipperley (knee) are both out injured. Summer signing Emmerson Boyce will fill in for Butterfield at right-back and another newcomer Sandor Torghelle, will partner Andy Johnson up front. Left-winger Joonas Kolkka will make his full debut.

Norwich City full-backs Thomas Helveg and Simon Charlton should start but Malky Mackay (groin) is a doubt.

Phil Mulryne (groin) and new buy Youssef Safri (hernia) are out, while David Bentley and Mattias Jonson will make their debuts. Darren Huckerby should partner former Palace frontman Matthias Svensson in attack.

Canaries boss Nigel Worthington said his side should not take Palace lightly. "Palace proved last season what a good side they are. They are in the Premiership on merit," he said.

"They have a lot of good players, and Iain (Dowie) has added to that during the summer - so it's game on.

"Some people might think Palace at home is a good game to have first. We're not looking at it like that."