March 2 2003

Ade Akinbiyi

Newspaper reports reveal Trevor Francis wants to sell Ade Akinbiyi and bring in three Premiership players in order to make a late bid for the play-offs.

Francis is hoping to get Sunderland striker Marcus Stewart, Fulham midfielder Lee Clark and Blackburn defender John Curtis in loan deals this week.

According to the People, Akinbiyi is talking to Stoke City about a short-term deal to join up with his old Gillingham boss Tony Pulis.

Stewart is in and out of a struggling Sunderland side while midfielder Clark wants first-team action after failing to get in the Fulham side.

Curtis is set to arrive for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent move if Palace make the play-offs.