August 31 2007

Crystal Palace centenary

Besian Idrizaj has warned Charlton he's fired up for Saturday's South London derby.

The striker joined Palace on a season-long loan from Liverpool on Thursday after finding his first-team chances with the Anfield club restricted.

Austrian Idrizaj, 19, is set to go straight into the Palace squad that hosts Charlton at Selhurst Park and admits he's up and pumping.

He said: "I’m fit, and full of confidence. I believe in myself. The manager told me it was going to be a tough game, and asked me if I was ready for it. I said of course I was.

"I’ve played in derbies for ASK Linz in Austria, and also against Everton for Liverpool reserves. They are always hard games, but I prefer playing in the big games."

The former Austria Young Player of the Year is excited about the chance of playing first-team football after his time in Liverpool's reserves and hopes to inspire Palace to promotion.

He said: "It’s a great opportunity for me, and I’m looking forward to it. I want to play regular football, but now it’s up to me to work hard.

"If I can prove myself here, then the future will take care of itself. Hopefully we can get promoted to the Premiership - that would be a dream for me."