January 28 2005

Selhurst Park

Nicola Ventola revealed this week he is desperate for a return to first team action because he thinks Andrew Johnson and him "can score lots of goals together at Palace", by Stuart Pink.

The 26-year-old Italian international has been sidelined for four months with a knee injury and only came off crutches last week.

But Ventola has pencilled in his comeback date for the visit of Manchester United to Selhurst Park on Saturday, March 5, where he is eager to prove himself in the Premiership and keep Palace in the top-flight.

Ventola said: "I think my characteristics will be very good in England.

"But this is my main problem frustration, I think in this team and in England it is possible for me to score, with me and Johnson we would get more goals.

"In England there is more space. In Italy, it's more about defending and tactics. In England, after 10 or 15 minutes it's open space. It is good for attacking players."

Despite his injury-hit start to his Palace career, Iain Dowie confirmed that the former Inter striker will remain at Palace until the end of the season after Palace took over his contract from Inter Milan, before he becomes a free agent in the summer.

Dowie said: "He's a had a difficult time, you've probably got to understand his background to see how much of a difficult time he's had.

"He was the next great thing but he's come and shown great spirit and in the gym he's worked hard, he stays to four or five everyday, we don't go easy on him.

"We give him the odd little break in Italy for the weekend because he needs to recuperate his body and he's hammering at it now."

Ventola has been plagued with knee problems throughout his career and after making his debut for Palace against Portsmouth and then featuring against Manchester City, he suffered another set- back during training.

But Palace fitness coach John Harbin has been working closely alongside Ventola during his recuperation, by building up the strength in his knee by power work and swimming, and the Palace staff are hopeful he can make a full recovery, as according to Dowie "lots of players have come back from his type of injury".

Ventola's time on the sidelines has not led to a spell of homesickness, as he is more than comfortable with his life in England.

Ventola said: "It is better that my wife speaks very good English.

"I have better English when I'm here with the players. Every time I speak in a restaurant, or for the TV or the gas, every time I speak English.

"I have no problem missing Italy. I love international food Japanese, Thai food it is not a problem."

Live Croydon Guardian text commentary