January 14 2005

Iain Dowie

Palace boss Iain Dowie hopes his side can "put right what we did wrong last weekend" against Manchester City on Saturday, by Stuart Pink.

Dowie was livid with his side's performance, especially coming a week after morale boosting victory over Aston Villa which put an end to an 11 game winless run.

Dowie said: "It's a good time for us to get back into football, it's going to be a great game, it's what we've dreamed off playing against Manchester City.

"It's a fantastic stadium, Kevin's been an international manager and got good players in there. It's going to be a tough, tough game, but let's go and get a result up there."

But Dowie's preparations have been severely hampered by injuries and suspensions, with Aki Riihilahti out with a calf problem, and Danny Granville and Michael Hughes missing the return to their former club through suspension.

Hughes and Riihilahti's absence should see a recall for Tom Soares, but the left back position is less clear cut, as whoever fills Granville's place will be up against Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Dowie hinted that the inexperienced Gary Borrowdale is unlikely to get the nod, which could mean playing either Mikele Leigertwood or Emmerson Boyce in the role.

The Palace boss should have Gonzalo Sorondo available for selection after a hamstring injury, but the game has come too soon for Nicola Ventola who is still three to four weeks away from a first team return.

Live Croydon Guardian text commentary