October 2 2001

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace along with a host of European clubs are reportedly looking to sign Australian centre-half Ben Blake.

Palace are keen to sign a new defender as Chinese international Fan Zhiyi has been put on the transfer list by Steve Bruce.

The Eagles have been leaking a lot of goals and have Middlesbrough veteran defender Steve Vickers on a one-month loan spell.

Blake, 25, would be keen to link up with fellow countryman Tony Popovic at the heart of defence.

He has impressed in his time at the high-flying Wollongong Wolves in Australia, when they won the 2001 NSL Championship.