April 4 2001

Fan Zhiyi

Defender Fan Zhiyi is set to miss the final four games of the season after being called up by his country. Zhiyi is part of a 24-man squad picked by China coach Bora Milutinovic who will participate in a pre-World Cup training camp in Beijing.

Eagles boss Alan Smith was hoping that Milutinovic would have left the defender out of the Chinese squad as Fan had only recently recovered from an injury which kept him out of the game for more than a month.

Zhiyi looks set to miss the games against Tranmere Rovers, Wolves, Portsmouth and Stockport County, but Palace are likely to make an attempt to get him released from international duty if they do not get clear from the drop zone soon.

Meanwhile, on-loan striker Mikael Forssell said that he doesn't know where he will be playing his football next season.

He said that he enjoys playing at Crystal Palace and that manager Smith would love to keep him at the club.

However, Chelsea might want the Finnish striker back as Gianfranco Zola revealed that this season could be his last in the Premiership as he seeks to spend more time with his family.

Forssell said: "I realise what that would mean to the club. Obviously I also love Chelsea and would welcome the opportunity to prove myself in the Premiership.

"Let's hope everything can be sorted out at the end of the season. I have enjoyed my time at Palace a lot. I love the club, I love the fans, but I can't tell whether or not I will be here next season.

"All I can do is tell the fans I will give them all my effort in the next seven games to make sure they stay up."

He added: "I haven't spoken to Colin Hutchinson or the coach yet, but I know Ranieri has been watching several games lately and the word I have received is that he is very positive about my situation."