Kember on the lookout for defenders

Last updated : 27 October 2003 By Palace Dan
Palace manager Steve Kember is on the lookout for defenders following the weekend defeat at Gillingham. Darren Powell missed the game, having torn a thigh muscle against Ipswich on Tuesday. He is expected to be out for up to six weeks. Meanwhile Aussie centre back Tony Popovic has suffered a recurrance of his heel injury which had kept him out of action for 4 weeks. He returned to the side for the Ipswich match and also figured at Gillingham but now faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines. Kember looks like playing Shaun Derry in a central defensive role, allowing Ben Watson and/or Michael Hughes to come back into the centre of midfield. Palace are desperately short of cover at the back with Powell and Popovic injured and Hayden Mullins moved on to West Ham. Kember will try and bring in an experienced defender, possibly on loan initially, with a view to a permanent deal.