Palace v Crewe Alexandra

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Crystal Palace

Team news

This match will mark Dario Gradi’s 999th game in charge of Crewe, although the trip to Selhurst Park is unlikely to help a certain Mr. Bruce understand the meaning of the word “loyalty” as he probably wouldn’t stick around long enough to listen.

Crewe currently lie in 16th place, with their away record being far from satisfactory having picked up only 5 points from a possible 24 this season.

Dario Gradi will be pleased that he can go into Saturday’s game with a fully fit squad. Steve Macauley and Wayne Collins have both recovered from ankle injuries, meanwhile Geoff Thomas is also in contention after recovering from a virus.

The only change Gradi is likely to make to the side that faced Gillingham on Saturday, will be replacing striker Rodney Jack with England under-19’s international Dean Ashton who was away on international duty last weekend.

With the on going Bruce saga, Steve Kember and Terry Bullivant will again be in charge for Saturday’s game.

The Palace defence, which had begun to look so solid since the arrival of keeper Matt Clarke, will now face a though test with Aussie centre back Tony Popovic away on international duty until the end of November.

This will mean that the back three should consist of Hayden Mullins, Gregg Berhalter and Dean Austin.

Right wing-back is another problem position for Kember and Bullivant. Jamie Smith is out for another couple of weeks following keyhole surgery on his troubled knee.

David Hopkin is the likely choice to play on the right after having played there two weeks ago when Palace drew 2-2 at Walsall, however winger Tommy Black will also be in contention.

Kember is hoping that Clinton Morrison and Jovan Kirovski will have come through their respective international duties with Ireland and the USA injury free.

Crewe Alexandra - league stats

Full league table

Crewe Alexandra - current form

Full form table

Our home record v Crewe Alexandra

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
31/03/2001	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 0	Crewe Alexandra
16/12/2000	League	Crewe Alexandra	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
04/12/1999	League	Crewe Alexandra	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
07/09/1999	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 1	Crewe Alexandra
07/08/1999	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 1	Crewe Alexandra

All time results

One to watch

Rodney Jack

Despite rumours that he is about to join Cardiff, Jack is the man to watch when we play the Railywaymen. Every time we have seen him at Selhurst, he has tormented the defence with his incredible pace and skill on the ball. A tricky winger with a good eye for goal, he will keep us on our toes for their visit on Saturday.

Last meeting

C Palace 1 (0) Austin 61 Crewe 0 (0)

31-03-2001

C Palace: Kolinko, Upson, Austin, Fan Zhiyi (Verhoenen,88), Harrison, Riihilahti, Rodger, Hopkin, Freedman (Black,45), Forssell, Morrison Subs not used: Frampton, Rubins, Fuller,

Crewe: Bankole, Macauley, Smith, Wright, Foster, Lunt, Sorvel, Street (Navarro,74), Jack, Rivers, Ashton (Hulse,76) Subs not used Kearton, Little, Sodje,

Bookings: None

Attendance: 20872

Referee: E K Wolstenholme

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