January 26 2005

Premiership

Iain Dowie this week admitted that speculation surrounding West Brom striker Rob Hulse "was news to me" as his frustration continues in the transfer window, by Stuart Pink.

The former Crewe frontman has been heavily linked with a move to Selhurst Park but Dowie was quick to dismiss the speculation at Tuesday's press conference.

Dowie has yet to make his first signing of the window, but said "we hope to have one over the line this week", in his attempts to strengthen his squad.

The Palace boss also admitted that Russian striker Dmitri Bulykin is unlikely to join, but there are still a number of players coming into the club on trial before the window shuts at the end of the month.

Argentinean striker Nicolas Pavlovich is the latest player to be linked with a move to the Eagles.

But the 26-year-old former Racing Club target man would not come cheaply and a potential move could depend on whether Palace can lower the asking price, thought to be in the region of £3million from FC Saturn.

Wayne Routledge's future looks just as uncertain after Tottenham revealed they have ended their interest in the winger, after there second bid, rumoured to be £1.7million, was rejected by the Palace hierarchy.

But Palace have not discarded Spurs' claim and expect another bid to be made before the window closes.

One man who may definitely be leaving Selhurst Park is Shaun Derry after his loan spell at Nottingham Forest has been increased by another month, but talk of a permanent deal will probably surface at the end of the season.

Ben Watson's spell out of the Palace first team also looks set to continue as Iain Dowie feels the 19-year-old midfielder needs to be rested after the high number of games he's played this season.

Dowie added: "I think he needed a rest, he's had a difficult time in terms of that and that's not a criticism.

"He's had his ups and downs, we always expected that and I think it's time for him to go back and he'll play in the reserves tomorrow night (Wednesday) and play some football."