February 26 2001

Crystal Palace

Recent signing Gregg Berhalter has been left out of the US national team squad who take on Mexico in a World Cup qualifier on on February 28th. Team USA manager Bruce Arena replaced Berhalter with Frankie Hejduk from German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Gregg Berhalter has been without a club for a few months before joining The Eagles, but he played the full 90 minutes against Sheffield United on Saturday.

US national team manager Bruce Arena decided not to call him to the squad for the game against Mexico.

Arena explained: "He wasn't going to start this game. I think he needs to get on with his career. If he gets on with his career and does well with his club, he's going to help us. Staying at Crystal Palace and trying to earn a place in that team is important."

Meanwhile, Palace are still waiting to hear if their £3 million bid for Tranmere Rovers' midfield player Jason Koumas has been successful.

Koumas has also been linked with a host of Premiership clubs but Tranmere boss John Aldridge has made clear that he is not willing to let the youngster go in the middle of his side's fight against relegation.