March 9 2001

Crystal Palace

Veteran defender Neil Ruddock said today that he is prepared to sit out his contract at Crystal Palace despite being told he can leave the club on a free transfer. Razor has got a year-and-a-half left of his contract.

The 32 year-old, however, is ready to fight for his place in Alan Smith's side.

He said: "I don't want a move and I'm willing to sit out my contract if I have to. I'm working on the basis that if I keep training the door will stay open for me to get back in."

Ruddock has been told he has no future at the Selhurst Park club, but he said that will stay until the right move comes along.

The former Liverpool defender is said to be earning £10,000 a week which means that Palace could end up paying him around 750,000 just to train and play in the reserves.

Meanwhile, the other out of favour player in Alan Smith's side Jamie Pollock has been targetted by Cardiff City.

Bluebirds supremo Sam Hammam, however, failed in an ambitious bid to sign the transfer-listed midfielder.

The Third Division side wanted to take the player on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent deal depending on promotion, but Pollock was not keen on dropping down two divisions.