October 30 2007

Leon Cort

Crystal Palace defender Leon Cort has moved to Stoke City on loan with a view to a permananet switch.

Palace's Player of the Year was only signed last summer in a £1million deal from Hull, but new Palace manager Neil Warnock wants a more physical centre half.

"Sometimes you have to lose one of your better players to get to where you want to be," Warnock told the South London Press. "Drastic action needs to be taken in a

number of areas.

"Leon was a reluctant sale but we’re a very nice team and the Championship is a tough league. Things may get worse before it gets better."

Warnock is poised to move for Stoke's 29-year-old defender Clint Hill as a replacement for the departed Cort. "I’m talking to Stoke about him," said Warnock.

Southwark-born Cort, who was brought into the club by Peter Taylor, made 50 appearances for the Eagles and scored seven goals.