December 9 2004

Emmerson Boyce

Crystal Palace defender Emmerson Boyce is set to be offered a new bumper pay deal as a reward for his impressive performances so far this season, by Stuart Pink.

The 25-year-old has been one of Palace's most consistent players this campaign and has proved one of the bargain buys of the season after his free transfer move from Luton in the summer.

Iain Dowie said: "He needs to be rewarded with what he's done, he's been fantastic and hopefully he'll get the recognition he deserves shortly.

"We need to revamp his deal because he needs to be put on parity with other players."

As an ever present this season, Boyce triggered a clause in his contract allowing him to negotiate his deal if he makes over 10 appearances, which he did in October far quicker than he anticipated.

Boyce said: "It's come quicker than everyone expected, but we're in talks at the moment and I hope everything goes well and it gets sorted out soon."

The powerful right-back has made the transition from Division Two to the Premiership with ease and has firmly established himself as the Eagles' first choice right back.

Boyce said: "I've come from the second division and I've got a lot to prove but I've gone into the games and put 100 per cent into it and hopefully that's been good enough for the manager and supporters.

"I feel there's more to come so I'm taking every game as it comes and I'm getting stronger and stronger."

But Boyce's form could perversely cause problems for Iain Dowie as talk of an international call-up for the defender has surfaced, not only for England, but for Barbados, which he says he would consider despite the regular long-haul travelling.

Boyce said: "I would consider playing for them because it's my parents country and it would make them proud.

"It could well be because there's a lot of travelling, but at the same time a lot of the boys go away on international duty, I know the schedules are a bit different because European teams come in with the Premiership. Obviously they need to get in contact with me and we'll go from there."