May 5 2005

Tom Soares

Tom Soares has signed an improved four-year contract with Crystal Palace.

The 18-year-old has become a regular in Iain Dowie's midfield and earned rave reviews for his displays in midfield.

Soares had reportedly attracted interest from Liverpool and Fulham and boss Dowie reckons an England U21 cap is not far away.

And Academy product Soares says he still has to pinch himself when playing alongside the Premierships's big stars.

"It's been amazing to walk out of the tunnel next to Roy Keane and people like that," he said.

"But once I'm on the pitch I forget who I'm playing in a way. I just concentrate on trying to prove myself that I can be as good as whoever I am playing."