January 26 2004

Crystal Palace

Mark Hudson may have to rethink his Fulham future - and Crystal Palace could be the benefactors, writes Chris Fidler.

The 21-year-old centre-half is on a month’s loan at Selhurst Park, making his Eagles debut in last week’s 5-1 thrashing of Watford.

Hudson has been with the Cottagers since the age of 10, but has been restricted to just 191 minutes of first team action in those 11 years - and they came against Chesterfield and Bury in the League Cup in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

He’s still wanted by Fulham boss Chris Coleman, but is seriously considering his future - and hasn’t ruled out a permanent move to Selhurst Park.

“I’ve spoken to Chris a few times about my future and he has always said he wants me to be a part of the club’s future,” he told the South London Press.

“But it’s becoming more difficult for me as time goes by. Either I hang on indefinitely until I get my place in the Fulham first team, or look to go elsewhere.

“Getting into the side could be a long way away. You never know, and not knowing is frustrating.”

This season has seen Hudson play more first team football than the whole of his career - and that’s down to Palace manager Iain Dowie, who had Hudson on loan at his previous club Oldham for three months at the start of the campaign.

And another 90 minutes of first team action, this time for Palace at Watford last weekend, makes Hudson long for regular football even more.

“I’ve had a taste of the first team and I want to play week in, week out,” said Hudson. “If that doesn’t end up happening for me at Fulham I will have to make a big decision.”

So would the chance to become a Palace player permanently appeal?

“Of course, if I had to leave Fulham I would listen to Palace. I am keeping my options open. But first I have to try and stay in the side here. I want a good run of games. With quality centre-halves like Tony Popovic, Kit Symons and Darren Powell here I am going to have to be at my best, when they are fit, to stay in the side.”

Hudson shows he isn’t a bad player himself, when he held together a makeshift defence against Watford alongside Danny Granville, who is more accustomed to playing at left-back.

“We did quite well and I was pleased I didn’t look out of place because my last match I played before that was on December 28 for Oldham. I hadn’t even played a reserve game in between so to get through the game was pleasing. But I am my biggest critic and know I will improve on Saturday’s performance as I get games under my belt.”

It’s ironic that Palace are the ones that are giving Hudson his chance now, as he slipped through their scouting net as a boy.

The fact he admits to being a Manchester United fan in a south-eastern accent gives the game away that he’s a local Surrey boy through-and-through!

“I’m from Godalming so Palace were local to me. As a boy I went to Aldershot Town’s then Swindon Town’s schools of excellence. Swindon had their school at Fleet Town and it was in a game against Fulham that I was spotted.

“They asked me if I wanted to have trials at Craven Cottage and I have been there ever since.”

That could all change in the not-too distant future. Just wait and see.