March 17 2014

Joe Ledley (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Joe Ledley says relegation threatened Crystal Palace are up for the battle.

The Eagles moved a point closer to achieving safety with a goalless draw away to basement rivals Sunderland on Saturday.

With nine games to go, Palace are just three points above the relegation zone and Wales midfielder Ledley said the team will have to fight out results for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old said: "It was big battle from both teams [against Sunderland]. We are both scrapping for points and that’s what you’ve got to do sometimes.

“You want to play nice football but at times you need to grind it out. It was great determination from the lads and to get a point.

"It was very difficult to go to the Stadium of Light with the circumstances and the weather but we got over that and then played some good football at times.

"Maybe we could have nicked it at the end. Both teams needs a win, especially with some of the other results not going our way.

"It has made it even more interesting down the bottom and that’s fantastic, but we’re up for the battle.

"There are a big couple of games coming up so we need to battle together and pull through it."

The January signing from Celtic reckons manager Tony Pulis is getting the best out of the squad.

Ledley added: "He's got us working hard as a unit and as a team. We work with him every day and you can see he’s very determined to keep us up – and so are we.

"We all work hard for each other and that’s what you need. You need that dedication and hopefully we can fight right until the end."