August 14 2007

The Carling Cup

Crystal Palace new boy JOSE FONTE is poised to make his debut in tonight's Carling Cup clash at Bristol Rovers.

FONTE, on a season's loan from Benfica, is likely to be given a run-out by boss Peter Taylor after missing out in Saturday's league win at Southampton.

Shefki Kuqi, Dougie Freedman and Danny Butterfield, who came off the bench at the weekend, are in contention to start.

Taylor may decide to rest Julian Speroni and place Scott Flinders between the sticks, while giving run-outs to Lewis Grabban and David Martin.

Midfield trio Carl Fletcher, Paul Ifill (both hamstring) and Jeff Hughes (groin) are definitely out.