May 7 2008

Shaun Derry

Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry has enjoyed the season so much he doesn't want it to end.

Derry was thrilled to make his loan move from Leeds United permanent in January and re-join Palace for a second time after falling out of favour in Yorkshire.

The 30-year-old has been a major influence in Palace's metoric rise up the table from relegation fodder to the verge of the Premier League.

And Derry admits he is loving every minute of the Eagles' renaissance under manager Neil Warnock and is desperate to win promotion.

"This has been a season in my career that has been full of highs and I don’t want to hit a low yet," he said. "I want to get to Wembley and win the final and look back at what a fantastic season we had.

"I’ve been very fortunate enough to play in play-off finals and I briefly played in the Premiership, but this is a whole new ball game for me because I’m playing in a side where I seem to be wanted and the gaffer seems to put his faith in me and it makes you into a different player.

"I’m loving my football at the minute. I said to my wife the other day I don’t want the season to end I want it to continue and I’m just delighted that it is."

Palace cemented their place in the play-offs after thumping 10-man Burnley 5-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday, although Derry didn't imagine the meeting to be so one-sided.

He said: "I was worried because on paper this was the easiest game. But as everyone in football knows they aren’t always easy games.

"Burnley didn’t have a lot to play for and they could have come here and made it very difficult but I think we put on a real professional performance and we got five goals which at times throughout the back end of this season we thought we’d do before. But what a great occasion.

"When the fans get behind us they are a very good set of fans. On Saturday they were immense. They stayed right until the final whistle. They will play a pivotal role in what we do for next season."