February 13 2002

Jovan Kirovski

Palace are hopeful JOVAN KIROVSKI will sign a new contract when he comes back from playing for the United States.

KIROVSKI is with US squad for a friendly against Italy and has delayed signing a new contract.

He was bought to the club by Steve Bruce last August from Sporting Lisbon on a one-year deal, but has not featured in Trevor Francis's plans.

First team coach Terry Bullivant said: "He has been offered a new contract and hopefully he will stay. We are in talks."

The attacking midfielder is hotly-tipped to re-join Bruce at Birmingham in the summer as Bruce is a keen fan of him.