February 22 2007

Michael Hughes

Peter Taylor has accused out of favour midfielder Michael Hughes of trying to use fan power to get back in the Crystal Palace team.

Hughes infuriated Taylor by going public with a claim that the Eagles boss had frozen him out even though he is fully fit.

But Taylor, who has been jeered after recent home defeats, is determined not to be seen as the bad guy as he tries to salvage his already fragile relationship with the Selhurst Park crowd.

He insisted Hughes is not fit because he hasn’t trained with the first team for two weeks after having injections for an ankle injury.

Taylor said: "I'm amazed to hear what Michael said because it is not true. He might class himself fit to play but I don’t.

"Michael is a very popular player with the supporters so in some ways maybe he is being a little bit clever.

"Last week he didn’t train with us because he wanted to catch up with his fitness and then I read that he is fit to play. I can't understand that."

Taylor, who has also fallen out with Clinton Morrison and Darren Ward this season, admits it might be better for Hughes to get fit by going on loan, with former Palace boss Iain Dowie keen to take the Northern Ireland midfielder to Coventry.

"I haven't seen Michael yet but I'm very surprised about what he said because I think I treat everybody exactly the same," Taylor said.

"Maybe in his own interests it might be good for him to go out on loan if we get an enquiry."