September 30 2004

Andy Johnson

Palace striker Andy Johnson is set to follow his manager's lead by signing a new deal this week, but WAYNE ROUTLEDGE's Selhurst Park future is less clear-cut, by Joseph O'Shea.

Johnson, 23, is set to sign a new five-year contract tying him to Palace until 2009, but winger ROUTLEDGE, whose current deal expires in July, is yet to agree new terms.

Iain Dowie said: "AJ is done, everything is agreed and he is about to put pen to paper. With WAYNE there is going to be a little bit more involved."

Subject of a £3million bid by Tottenham on transfer deadline day, ROUTLEDGE, 19, has rejected Palace's initial contract offer.

The Croydon-born England U19 international is now represented by the Formation Group's Paul Stretford, who engineered WAYNE Rooney's £27million move from Everton to Manchester United.

Rooney was advised not to sign a contract extension at Goodison Park, forcing Everton to sell in a deal which earned Formation £1.5million in agents' fees.

ROUTLEDGE is staying silent over his future, but is thought to be keen on the move and his form has dipped badly since Spurs' bid.

Dowie said: "Is it going to turn a kid's head? Of course it is, but the only way WAYNE will get the move, if he does want to move and we hope he doesn't, is to play at a top level. I am not building this club to sell its best assets and WAYNE is one of them."

Should Spurs come back with a more acceptable offer in January, Palace will face a choice of selling now or seeking compensation should he see out his contract.

A new deal containing an escape clause looks like Palace's best chance of holding on to their brightest starlet.

By contrast, in-form hitman Johnson is delighted to be committing his future to the Eagles.

He told the Guardian: "I have agreed it with the club, and hopefully it will be signed by the end of the week."

With four goals from seven games, Palace's fleet-footed number 8 sits alongside the likes of Henry near the top of the scoring charts and hit his 50th goal in just 90 games for the club on Saturday.

He said: "I went 10 or 11 games without scoring for Palace, so to get the 50 is a great achievement for me and the whole team. But I want to keep improving and make that 50 a 100, 150 or 200!"