December 3 2002

Crystal Palace

Palace’s opponents in the 4th round of the Worthington Cup are old boy Iain Dowie’s Oldham Athletic.

Having comfortably beaten Coventry City in the previous stage of the competition Palace will go into this game looking to make up for some recent disappointing league performances.

Julian Gray did not make the trip to Sheffield at the weekend due to tonsillitis and it is unlikely that he will be able to make the starting XI for tonight’s game.

Trevor Francis is likely to stick with the same eleven players who lost against the Blades on Saturday which will mean at in the absence of Dougie Freedman Andy Johnson and Dele Adebola will continue up front.

Oldham Athletic, managed by ex Palace striker Iain Dowie are riding high in Division Two as they currently occupy third place. The Latics also travel to Selhurst with a 13 game unbeaten away run under their belts which includes wins against Derby County and West Ham in this very competition.

Iain Dowie will be glad to welcome back 38 year old David Eyres to the side following his one match suspension and with the right wing back in the starting XI he is likely to displace Michael Clegg from the side.