Palace v Brighton

Selhurst Park, Tuesday 8.00pm

Andy Johnson

Team news

England international Johnson was back in action as second half substitute in Saturday's win at Coventry after a month out with a knee injury.

Iain Dowie is likely to pair Johnson with in-form Clinton Morrison, so Dougie Freedman will drop down to the bench. Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood (ankle) is unlikely to feature.

Brighton boss Mark McGhee is sweating on the fitness of Richard Carpenter as he brings an injury-hit squad to Selhurst Park.

Veteran midfielder Carpenter (foot) faces a late fitness test with Charlie Oatway posed to replace the 33-year-old.

McGhee, will also be without midfielder Alexis Nicolas, may hand a start to French winger Alexandre Frutos. Mark McCammon, Jason Dodd and Adam Hinshelwood all remain long-term absentees.

Brighton - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
24th	13	1	7	5	10

Full league table

Brighton - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	0	3	2	5	8

Full form table

Our home record v Brighton

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
41	23	9	9	72	39

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
25/03/2003	League	Brighton	0 - 0	Crystal Palace
26/10/2002	League	Crystal Palace	5 - 0	Brighton
18/02/1991	Full Members Cup	Brighton	0 - 2	Crystal Palace
27/03/1989	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 1	Brighton
26/12/1988	League	Brighton	3 - 1	Crystal Palace

All time results

One to watch

Leon Knight

Brighton's top scorer

Leon Knight - 3 goals

Brighton's bad boy

Paul McShane - 4 0

Palace old boys

None

After our superb win on Saturday, Brighton should be afraid, VERY afraid! However, seeing as we have to pick one to watch, it’s got to be Leon Knight.

Leon has so far managed an impressive 3 goals in 14 games so far this season, that's a quarter of all goals scored by the entire team so far, that’s a quarter of all goals scored by the entire team so far. He is currently goalless in his last 4 matches with his last goal coming against the oh-so-hard-to-score-against sky blues of Coventry!

Knight got his first taste of first team football when he joined QPR on loan in March 2001, although failed to find the net. He then returned to Chelsea and was selected to join the England Under 16’s and Under 18’s. Next up for Knight was a spell at Huddersfield on loan in October 2001, where he was given a months trial and possible extension if he proved himself.

He became a huge success at the McAlpine where he scored 17 goals and became top scorer for the Terriers. Knight was then snapped up by Sheffield Wednesday where he stayed for a season, making 14 appearances and scoring 3 goals for the first division club.

Knight joined Brighton and Hove Albion for the 2003 - 2004 season and instantly made an impact, smashing in 26 goals which ultimately led them to their push for promotion. And, it paid off, they made it to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff battling against Bristol City with Leon Knight scoring the winner in the 84th minute from the penalty spot.

Since then, he’s been fairly quiet, only scoring 4 times last season. However, having scored 3 times already this season we must not be complacent. He has recently spoke of wanting to show his commitment to his club and what better way to do this than scoring against fierce rivals Palace.

At 5'5" though, the main thing the Palace defenders really need worry about is if he starts chewing at their ankles.

(Credit: A_Js Shorts and Tinkerbell85)

Last meeting

Brighton 0-0 Palace

Tuesday March 25 2003

Brighton: Beasant, Ingimarsson, Cullip (Pethick, 43), Blackwell, Watson, Carpenter, Brooker, Rodger, Mayo, Hart, Barrett

Subs not used: Oatway, Jones, Wilkinson, Packham

Palace: Kolinko, Butterfield, Powell, Symons, Granville (sent off 67), Gray (Borrowdale, 45), Black (Antwi, 77), Derry, Thomson, Adebola (Williams, 66), Whelan

Subs not used: Routledge, Berthelin

Bookings: Granville , Whelan