November 19 2004

Kit Symons

Palace assistant manager Kit Symons has warned his side of the threat of his former Welsh team-mate Craig Bellamy ahead of Saturday's clash with Newcastle, but has ruled out the possibility of joining the fiery striker in the Welsh squad as part of their new coaching set-up, Stuart Pink.

With John Toshack recently installed as the new manager of Wales, the former Real Madrid boss is likely be on the look out for additions to his coaching staff, and Symons could fit that bill.

But the 33-year-old, who has 36 caps, has dismissed his chances because of time constraints and says he is still learning his new role.

Symons said: "To be honest I don’t think I’ve got time. Everyone knows the way Iain Dowie works and I’m still very much learning my trade and trying to get all my qualifications, as well as taking the reserves here and being assistant manager of the first team.

"Obviously I won a lot of caps for Wales and I’m very patriotic, but further down the line possibly who knows, but certainly at the minute I’ve got enough on my plate."

Symons will renew acquaintances with his former Welsh colleague Bellamy at Selhurst Park on Saturday, as Newcastle are likely to field the former Norwich and Coventry star as part of their three-pronged attack, along with Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert.

But Symons believes Bellamy is a much improved player and has become a real force in the Premiership.

Symons said: "I played against him when he was at Norwich years ago and he’s progressed. He had a lot of potential back then and he went to Coventry and did OK, but certainly since his move to Newcastle he has really flourished.

"He’s playing alongside someone like Alan Shearer so I don’t think you could fail to learn from someone who is still one of the top strikers on the Premiership."

Symons revealed that Andrew Johnson and Fitz Hall will be in contention to start on Saturday after respective hip and knee injuries, and Aki Riihilahti should be fit despite coming off against Liverpool with a ankle/Achilles injury.

But with many Palace players on international duty such as England Under-21 stars Ben Watson and Wayne Routledge and other internationals Joonas Kolkka, Ivan Kaviedes, Gabor Kiraly, Sandor Torghelle and Vassilis Lakis, Ian Dowie will be hoping they return unscaved as Palace look to bounce back from two successive defeats with a victory against tenth placed Newcastle.

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