Austin contract to be paid up

Last updated : 01 November 2002 By PalaceMAD
Jordan has predicted "18 months of pain" as he tries to reduce the wage bill at Selhurst Park and is in talks to terminate the 32-year-old defender's contract.

Austin has made more than 130 league appearances for Palace but has only played in 5 games (four of those as substitute) this term under Trevor Francis and was stripped of the captaincy after criticising Jordan earlier this season.

Jordan said: "We are in discussions to terminate Dean's contract. The deal's done. He wants to progress his opportunities somewhere else.

"We think his first-team opportunities would be limited this year."