December 1 2000

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan is still chasing Liverpool defender Steve Staunton. He hopes to get Staunton to Selhurst Park despite interest from Aston Villa.

The Replubkic of Ireland defender impressed during a recent loan spell at Palace but has also attracted interest from his former club Aston Villa.

Simon Jordan says he's ready to fight Villa for Staunton who is granted a free transfer by his current club Liverpool.

The Eagles chairman also keen on re-signing Sun Jihai for the club but Newcastle United are also in the market for the Chinese defender.

"Alan also needs at least one more striker and another two midfielders and I will make the money available to him.

"We won't be throwing money away, but we won't be setting any spending limits," said the chairman.

Meanwhile, the Crystal Palace youth team were held by Newcastle in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

The Eagles were leading 2-1 but the Magpies scored the equaliser six minutes before the final whistle.

The replay will be played on Wednesday, December 13, kick-off 7pm at Selhurst Park.