Ipswich v Palace – Team news preview

Last updated : 04 August 2006 By Nik Taylor

Palace kick off the season against Ipswich at Portman Road tomorrow with a new-look squad.

Gone is the Iain Dowie era, with former Eagle Peter Taylor now taking over at the helm. Taylor has signed six new players since his arrival at Selhurst Park, and any number of them could figure in tomorrow's starting line-up.

Gabor Kiraly appears to have backed down from his intention to leave the club – and after appearing in the pre-season friendlies will likely hold down his place in goal.

New signing Leon Cort is expected to join Darren Ward in central defence, with the two Dannys – Butterfield and Granville – likely to flank them.

Midfield is more of a conundrum, with new signings Mark Kennedy and Carl Fletcher competing with the regulars for a starting spot. One who will definitely be missing is Michael Hughes, who is yet to recover from a broken arm.

Jobi McAnuff recently committed his future to the club, and will surely start on the right. Fletcher will likely start in the middle, alongside either Tom Soares or Ben Watson, with Kennedy expected to play out on the left.

There's plenty of competition for the front two spots as well, though if the pre-season line-ups are anything to go by, a combo of Clinton Morrison and James Scowcroft would appear the safe bet.

Probable Palace XI

Kiraly

Butterfield Ward Cort Granville

McAnuff Soares Fletcher Kennedy

Scowcroft Morrison