Palace v Brighton

Selhurst Park, Friday 7.45pm

Ian Holloway

Team news

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway has no new injury problems ahead of this crucial first leg play-off clash at Selhurst Park.

Stephen Dobbie in not eligible against parent club Brighton under the terms of his loan and won't be able to play in the final should Palace make it as the deal will have expired.

Winger Jason Banton could take his place on the bench. Centre-half Paddy McCarthy (groin) and full-back Jonathan Parr (ankle) plus Darcy Blake are out for the season.

Brighton left-back Wayne Bridge returns to the side after being rested last time out. Inigo Calderon is back from suspension and will replace Bruno who will miss both legs due to a calf injury.

Midfielder Andrea Orlandi and winger Will Buckley are in contention for starting roles. But strikers Craig Mackail-Smith (Achilles) and Will Hoskins (knee) and George Barker (court) are definitely out.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"What nearly cost us was the players wanting it too much and getting really nervous. They're not like that any more. I think they've realised it is just a fabulous opportunity to become a hero.

"When Kevin Phillips equalised last Saturday, you just can't replace that sort of emotion - I can't believe how emotional I actually got. In hindsight, we could have lost and still made the play-offs but the joy is what the game is about.

"The last 10 games have been difficult but this group have grown together - there's been no fracture in the camp. You are either resilient and get stronger or you can get a scary situation like what's happened at Wolves.

"I just want us to do ourselves justice but win or lose they'll be stronger for the experience. I've taken on the favourite twice and won once, I've seen grown men crumble under the pressure, I've seen people you wouldn't expect grow into the occasion.

"I've got a tingly feeling already. It's awful at times, being responsible for carrying everyone's hopes and dreams but this is what life's about, where else would I get a feeling like this? That's football - complete, utter, pure emotion."

Glenn Murray

"Obviously, it would mean a lot to me to play in the Premier League as I have never had the chance to play at that level. But we have got to keep our focus, as that is a long way off. We have two very difficult games to start with before we can even think about Wembley or anything else.

"We have been pretty even as the season has gone on. You could argue that because they finished above us, Brighton have the upper hand, but I think we have been much of a muchness.

"We would rather be going into the play-offs with a bit more form, but we have guys who have play-off experience. They're a bit more relaxed about it as they have been there and done it.

"We started off being touted as potential relegation candidates and then we lost the first three games, but the turnaround since then has been fantastic. I've enjoyed it and it's already a fantastic achievement to get to the play-offs – now we want to go and win them."

Gus Poyet

"It is a normal game. I've had a lot of messages and calls this week telling me otherwise, but this is not what I have said to my squad. It doesn't matter now that's it's two legs, we go to win a game - this is normal. The idea should be to never think like that until Friday is over.

"We want some nice banter, the fans singing against each other but nothing more. This is not life. We are not talking about your family or your health, we are talking about football.

"I think that it doesn't matter now what the results have been, there are no secrets between the teams. I said to the players, 'change nothing in your life' - just be normal.

"If your kid wakes up at three o'clock in the morning and you usually go to him then go to him. This is a normal football game. I know there are more consequences but it is important in our life, our training and all the preparation, that we do everything the same."

Brighton - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
4th	46	19	18	9	75

Full league table

Brighton - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
8	4	4	0	15	5

Full form table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
17/03/2013	League	Brighton	3 - 0	Crystal Palace
01/12/2012	League	Crystal Palace	3 - 0	Brighton
31/01/2012	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 1	Brighton
27/09/2011	League	Brighton	1 - 3	Crystal Palace
20/11/2005	League	Brighton	2 - 3	Crystal Palace

All time results

Last meeting

Brighton 3-0 Palace

Sunday March 17 2013

Brighton: Kuszczak, Upson, Bridge, Calderon, Greer, Lopez (Hammond, 89), Orlandi (Crofts, 63), Lua Lua, Bridcutt, Buckley, Ulloa

Subs not used: Ankergren, Dunk, Painter, Vicente, Barker

Goals: Ulloa (43, 50), Lopez (45)

Bookings: Bridge, Lopez

Palace: Speroni, Ramage (Wilbraham, 68), Delaney, Williams (Phillips, 46), Dikgacoi, Bolasie (Moritz, 46), Jedinak, Parr, Richards, Murray, Zaha

Subs not used: Gabbidon, Butterfield, Moxey, Price

Bookings: Dikgacoi