December 13 2001

Gregg Berhalter

US international Gregg Berhalter is willing to sacrifice some of his country's international games to concentrate on getting into the Palace team.

The 28-year-old defender has been picked by the US to play in a Fifa-organised tournament in January, the CONCACAF Cup.

It is an important set of friendly games which are part of the US side's build up to the World Cup in the summer.

Berhalter said: "The competition is preparation for the World Cup but we have some friendlies coming up too.

"We will look at the schedule of games and work around it because I won't do anything to jeopardise Palace."

He has failed to get a regular place in the Palace back line, despite starring for the Eagles at the end of last season.