October 27 2004

Andy Johnson

Palace boss Iain Dowie confirmed this week that Andy Johnson "is not for sale under any circumstances" in his bid to fend off any Premiership suitors inquiring about his top goalscorer, by Stuart Pink.

But Dowie admitted if he were to part with the club's "crown jewels" it would have to be to a big club, because Palace would want big money.

Dowie said: "He's just signed a five-year deal and he was kind enough to say in the programme on Saturday he waited for me to sign before he signed.

"I've got loyalty to him, but the answer would be a firm no to anyone who picks up the phone."

AJ notched up his sixth and seventh goals of the season against West Brom on Saturday, making him the second top scorer in the Premiership, one goal behind Thierry Henry.

But Dowie believes AJ deserves the plaudits, not just for his goal scoring exploits but also for his team contribution.

Dowie said: "I think he's unrivalled in terms of work rate. If you look at the Opta stats to see who's run the furthest I don't think AJ is too far away from being at the top of it.

"I had to stop him training today, he was desperate to be out there, he's got a little niggle and I told him not be out there today but that's the type of guy he is.

"He deserves the bits of adulation he's getting at the moment but I don't thing it will change the lad because he's a very grounded young boy."

Dowie will be hoping AJ continues his goalscoring run against the striker's former club Birmingham at St Andrews this Saturday, in what will be an emotional day for the 23-year-old.

It will be the first time AJ has played against his boyhood club since he left as part of the deal which took Clinton Morrison to Birmingham in 2002.

To add further spice to the fixture, it will also be the a reunion with former Palace manager Steve Bruce and former Eagle Julian Gray is sure to be included in the Birmingham line-up, in his new role at left back.