July 14 2005

Joonas Kolkka

Speculation linking Joonas Kolkka with a move away from Selhurst Park is unfounded according to Eagles Director of Football Bob Dowie, by Stuart Pink.

The 30-year-old Finn, who never cemented a regular first team place last term, has been heavily linked with a return to Germany or Holland ever since the Eagles' relegation in May.

But Palace boss Iain Dowie has reassured Kolkka he is part of his plans and returned to training with the first of the squad last week.

Bob Dowie said: "Kolkka signed a two year deal with us last summer. He’s in training now is our only left sided midfielder at present, so he is a firm part of our plans."

Bob Dowie also confirmed to the Croydon Guardian that former England keeper Ian Walker trained with the club on Monday only as a "favour".

Walker, who is currently a free agent after rejecting a new deal with Leicester City, was training with the Eagles in order to keep up his fitness before travelling to Bolton yesterday (Tuesday) for a trial.

But another player currently training with the Eagles, West Ham midfielder Steve Lomas, may have a chance of joining securing a move to Selhurst Park.

The Northern Ireland international missed nearly the entire campaign for the Hammers last season and is hoping to secure a move away from Upton Park in the bid to seek regular first team football.

Bob Dowie said: "Steve Lomas is trying to engineer a move to release him from West Ham and he would be interested in playing for us. But Stevie didn’t play much last season."

Dowie also admitted that it is unlikely there will be any new arrivals at the club before the pre-season tour of Germany next week, where the club takes on Czech side FK Teplice and Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.

But Dowie is still hoping to sign three players before the Championship opener with Luton Town at Selhurst Park on August 6.