Hudson deal in the balance

Last updated : 21 April 2004 By Nik Taylor

Palace are in a race against time to secure the permanent signing of Mark Hudson so the player can face Sunderland tonight.

The Fulham defender's loan deal ran out after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wigan, but his impressive form has led Iain Dowie to see the centre-back as a key figure in his starting 11.

A fee believed to be in the region of £750,000 has been agreed by the two clubs, and Hudson had been expected to put pen to paper yesterday.

But some eleventh-hour haggling over the payment of the fee seems to have put the whole deal in the balance. Hudson must sign before noon today in order to be eligible to play in tonight’s game at home to Sunderland.