May 11 2001

Thomson - new contract?

The Eagles are to offer new contracts to Jamie Smith, Simon Rodger and Steve Thomson.

The trio will be out of contract this summer, but Simon Jordan is keen to keep all three at the club.

Defender Smith is being monitored by Bolton Wanderers, who might snap him up on a free this summer, but The Eagles are confident that they can match and even better personal terms.

Simon Jordan is expected to have talks with the trio over the next few days in a bid to thrash out new deals with them, despite no manager being in place.

Meanwhile, Steve Coppell has revealed that he wishes he had never left The Eagles but knows that he couldn't have worked with Simon Jordan.

The former Palace manager and fan favourite has recently accepted an offer from Ron Noades to take over the managers job at Brentford.

Coppell said: "I had a lovely time at Crystal Palace. It is my club and always will be but Simon Jordan will be the first to acknowledge it wouldn't have worked.

"I would love to still be there but Simon is very hands on and it would never have worked."