Southampton are poised to complete a last-gasp swoop for Darren Powell, after beating Reading to the Palace centre-back’s signature.
The out-of-contract defender had been widely expected to link up with Steve Coppell at the Madejski Stadium after having talks there, but Saints seem to have won the race for Powell – who will leave Palace on a free transfer.
Powell has already agreed terms with the St Marys’ club and the move will be completed subject to a medical.
It’s perhaps an irony not lost on Southampton boss Harry Redknapp that the main reason Darren Powell is leaving is because he can’t dislodge Fitz Hall from the Palace starting line-up. Hall was snapped up from Southampton just twelve months ago.