March 2 2006

Andy Johnson

Iain Dowie has warned Championship defenders they face an England backlash from Andy Johnson.

Dowie admitted Johnson was angry at being left out of England's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Uruguay.

Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to snub Johnson leaves the striker with little chance of going to this summer's World Cup.

But Dowie believes Johnson can prove a point by terrorising Championship opponents and helping Palace win promotion.

Dowie said: "Andy was disappointed to be left out of the squad and I know that he's frustrated.

"He just has to make sure that he takes it out on Championship defences until the end of the season.

"I don't think his chance has gone. If he can keep scoring between now and the end of the season, I will make sure Sven is aware of him.

"I believe Andrew is one of the top four of five strikers in the country and he is good enough to go to the World Cup."

Dowie also hopes to get to the bottom of the pelvic injury that has sidelined Danny Butterfield since October.

Full-back Butterfield will see a specialist on Monday and Dowie said: "Hopefully we are getting towards the end of this problem because we've missed Danny.

"He gives us a different option. It's frustrating, because he has hardly kicked a ball for us this year."