Hughes waits for his Palace chance

13 April 2012

Michael Hughes must wait for Julian Gray to complete a move away from Crystal Palace before he can resurrect his career at Selhurst Park.

The Northern Ireland international is on trial at the south London club after a year's enforced exile owing to a dispute between Wimbledon and Birmingham.

But Eagles boss Steve Kember is penniless until Palace, who lost 1-0 in a Selhurst Park friendly with PSV Eindhoven last night, receive compensation for losing Gray, who is on trial at Charlton after a move to Leeds collapsed when the clubs failed to agree a fee.

Kember said: "I've got to get players out before I can get players in. That's the only stumbling block with the Michael Hughes situation.

"Julian is history. He's refused a contract and he's refused to train with us. He's a good player and I hope he gets himself sorted out.

"But if I get somebody out I can get somebody in - that's my compensation."

PSV Eindhoven included Mark van Bommel and Kevin Hofland in their friendly against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with van Bommel netting the only goal of the game.

It came in the first minute after a howler by Matt Clarke, back in goal for Palace after a nightmare injury kept him out for most of last season.

He mishit a pass to Shaun Derry and could only find van Bommel, who casually lobbed the stranded Palace keeper from 15 yards.

But Clarke made amends with a string of fine saves.

Just three minutes after the goal he needed to be on his toes to tip the ball over after a long-range effort and he was again in top form in the 11th minute when John de Jong struck a fierce freekick from 20 yards.

Andy Johnson had a good chance to equalise but PSV keeper Ronald Waterreus saved low to his right.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp fears the club will have to begin its Premiership-campaign dangerously under-strength.

Pompey thrashed Kilmarnock 5-0 at Rugby Park on a night when Nigerian striker Yakubu Ayegbeni scored twice and Teddy Sheringham netted with a superb volley.

But the First Division champions lost Hayden Foxe to an ankle injury that could see him miss the start of the new campaign.

Redknapp said: "When I have my best team out we look all right but once I get one or two injuries it is going to be a desperate struggle for us. I ended up with Nigel

Quashie, a midfield player, at leftback and he can't play there.

"I haven't got a squad strong enough, that's the problem.

"I have lost the boy Foxe tonight. It looks like he is going to hospital for an X-ray on his ankle.

At Blackpool, Dwight Yorke and new signing Brett Emerton were on target for Blackburn to give them a 2-1 win, although the home side took the lead through striker Mike Sheron.

Middlesbrough were also away winners with Juninho, Malcolm Christie and Doriva netting in a 3-1 win at Rotherham, for whom Alan Lee was on target. Birmingham slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Port Vale, with midfielder Micky Cummins netting midway through the second half before Adrian Littlejohn sealed the win for the Division Two side seven minutes from time.

Tonight's fixtures

(7.45 unless stated) Friendlies include: Canvey Island v Gravesend, Fleet Town v Woking, Floriana v Bolton (6.30), Kingstonian v Fulham (7.30), St Albans v Arsenal XI (7.30), West Brom v Cheltenham (7.30), Harrow Borough v Chelsea XI (7.30), Billericay v L Orient, Walton & Hersham v Millwall reserves.

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Hughes waits for his Palace chance

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