February 23 2001

Fan Zhiyi

Eagles defender Fan Zhiyi is still out with a hamstring injury and won't be available for the away game against Sheffield United on Saturday. Zhiyi picked up the injury against Sunderland earlier in the year.

The Eagles are confident that Zhiyi will be returning to first-team action in about a week.

Tommy Black could return to the squad and Latvian Andrejs Rubins looks set to sit on the bench. he lost his place to Julian Gray.

Palace will probably start with these 11 players: Kolinko, Austin, Mullins, Black, Smith, Harrison, Pollock, Rodger, Forssell, Morrison and Gray.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have announced to have launched an appeal against Jamie Pollock's red card in the game against Norwich City at last weekend.

The Eagles are asking the Football Association to pass on a copy of the video of the incident to referee Brian Curson to re-consider his decision.

Palace are also believed to be considering an appeal against the decision to send Craig Harrison off against Barnsley on Tuesday.