March 16 2001

Crystal Palace

DAVID HOPKIN, who was signed yesterday from Bradford City, is set to go straight into the side that takes on London rivals Fulham on Saturday at Selhurst Park.

The £1.5 million signing from Bradford will take his place in the Palace midfield in a bid to end the club's five game losing streak.

HOPKINg will probably take Steven Thompson's place in midfield.

Andrew Frampton could be given a chance by Alan Smith now that Amir Karic returned to Ipswich Town. Craig Harrison is still suspended.

Chinese international Fan Zhiyi will still be rested as he isn't fully recovered yet from a hamstring injury.

The Eagles will probably start with this line-up: Kolinko, Smith, Upson, Austin, Mullins, Frampton, HOPKIN, Rubins, Forssell, Morrison and Freedman.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have signed Belgian defender Kenny Verhoene on loan until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old Harelbeke player is looking forward to his loan spell at Selhurst Park. He said: "It's a temporary solution for my problem. We'll see what happens after those three months. The main thing for me is to be able to play again, so people and clubs will see I'm still there."

Verhoene has been out of the picture at his club after a change of coaches a few months ago.

Palace will not pay Harelbeke a fee, but they will pay Verhoenen's wages until the end of the season.