Palace v Barnsley

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Story so far

Newly-promoted Barnsley come to Selhurst without an away win since August.

They are currently sitting in 23rd position and will be looking to pick up three points against there relegation rivals.

This six-pointer is important for both sides as they look to build confidence and attempt to climb away from the bottom three.

Team news

Clinton Morrison should be fit after getting injured while on Republic of Ireland duty.

Morrison collided with Birmingham's Stephen Kelly in a training session as the Irish prepare for their Euro 2008 qualifier at home to San Marino.

"There was a clash of shins," said Republic boss Steve Staunton. "It's now a matter of time, but he's going to be sore with bone bruising, which is never nice."

But Eagles boss Peter Taylor confirmed that he will be fine for Saturday.

Defender Leon Cort is a doubt after pulling his hamstring while running up the stairs at home.

Tom Soares has a foot injury and will face a late fitness test. Taylor said: "The problem he had was he was in a lot of pain side-footing the ball on the foot which he got a whack.

"It's very bruised and sore but he is a lot better now. He hasn't been running but I think he could run with no pain. It's just kicking the ball.

"Michael Hughes had three stitches in his shin and I thought he did brilliant to get 90 minutes.

"I pulled him the day before and said to him the minute he is cream-crackered to give me a shout but every time I asked him he was fine, so good character."

Quotes

Peter Taylor "I'd just like our supporters to realise how important that they are now. Booing will only make people more nervous to play at home and that won't help our performance so we need everybody to get behind us.

"Our performances and results of late have been nowhere near the standard that we and the supporters expect so it's got to improve.

"The reason we haven't had the results is that we have not played well enough or worked hard enough as a team and we've got to improve on that.

"We know we're ten times better than what we're showing at the moment and we're hoping to put it right on Saturday."

Andy Ritchie "We did ever so well last season on virtually no budget at all. We are playing some excellent stuff at the moment but we cannot finish off games and I cannot have asked any more of the players.

"They have been tremendous this season - there are certain areas that we have to tighten up and we do need two or three experienced players to help them along. They have been magnificent and no one can fault their effort or willingness to run for the cause.

"We just cannot finish off teams and keep leads so that is where we need some experienced players to come in and steady the ship. We need that experience."

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Barnsley - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
23rd	17	4	3	10	15

Full league table

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Barnsley - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	1	0	4	4	9

Full form table

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Our home record v Barnsley

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
23	9	3	11	24	26

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
26/02/2002	League	Barnsley	1 - 4	Crystal Palace
22/09/2001	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 0	Barnsley
20/02/2001	League	Barnsley	1 - 0	Crystal Palace
12/09/2000	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 0	Barnsley
15/02/2000	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 2	Barnsley

All time results

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One to watch

Daniel Nardiello

Nardiello is a former Manchester United trainee who never pushed on from the reserves.

He's pacy, direct and can score or create goals. One thing that he can be criticised for is his lack of work rate.

Probable line-up

	Morrison	Scowcroft
McAnuff	Hughes	Kennedy	Soares
Granville	Hudson	Cort	Butterfield
Turner

Ref watch

Mr K A Friend

Last meeting

Barnsley 1-4 Palace

Tuesday February 26 2002

Barnsley: Miller, Mulligan, Barker, Morgan, Chettle, Donovan (Crooks 71), Gary Jones, Lumsdon, Barnard, Dyer (Rankin 71), Sheron.

Subs not used: Marriott, Ward, Regan.

Bookings: Donovan , Morgan , Mulligan.

Goal: Dyer 41.

Palace: Clarke, Smith, Fleming, Murphy, Austin, Thomson (Rodger 90), Mullins, Riihilahti, Gray (Kirovski 89), Freedman (Akinbiyi 83), Morrison.

Subs not used: Kolinko, Black.

Booking: Murphy.

Goals: Freedman 29, Riihilahti 56, Akinbiyi 83, Gray 85.

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