January 20 2005

Neil Shipperley

Neil Shipperley has exclusively revealed to the Croydon Guardian that he has "no intention of leaving" Selhurst Park during the transfer window and has not been approached by any clubs, by Stuart Pink.

The Palace club captain, who represents himself, said that neither Iain Dowie or representatives from other clubs have contacted him about a possible move, after speculation linking him with a switch to Championship sides Reading and Gillingham.

Shipperley said: "I've always been looking to stay and I've heard nothing about a move. I'm aware of the situation that the club are trying to bring in new strikers, but until that happens we'll have to wait and see."

The 30-year-old former Chelsea and Southampton striker made a welcome return to Premiership action against Manchester City on Saturday, after battling his way back from a serious knee injury which has kept him out for the first four months of the season.

But Shipperley's comeback to the first team has been somewhat overshadowed by comments made by Palace chairman Simon Jordan who stated that Shipperley returned to pre-season training in an "unacceptable" condition, referring to Shipperley putting on weight over the summer.

Shipperley said: "I wasn't around when he said it, I don't appreciate people talking about me like that.

"I couldn't train on my knee for the whole of the summer because I had to rest it. "

I put on just over two pounds, and one per cent of that was body fat. If that's unacceptable I will accept it."

Shipperley had been restricted to reserve team action and the last 15 minutes of Palace's Carling Cup tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford so far this campaign, but the frontman is now just happy to be back in contention.

He said: "It's been a long wait but it's good to be back in the first team frame.

"I can only do what I can to get back into the side, but hopefully I'll be able to get more chances as the season goes on."

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