April 13 2001

Crystal Palace

Matthew Upson will return to Arsenal now that Palace have failed to to keep the defender on loan at Selhurst Park for the rest of the season. Alan Smith wil now try to secure influential defender Fan Zhiyi's services for the crucial last few games of the season.

Alan Smith tried to persuade Arsenal to let him keep Upson at Selhurst Park until the end of the season, but Gunners boss Arsenen Wenger rejected the bid becausehe is worried about the lack of cover he has at the club.

The Palace boss will now try to keep Chinese defender Fan Zhiyi at the club until the end of the season. Zhiyi is called up to the China squad and is set to miss the crucial last few games of the season.

Zhiyi's final game for Palace this season could be against Bolton Wanderers at Selhurst Park on Monday afternoon.