August 11 2004

Crystal Palace

Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly will become Iain Dowie's sixth summer signing this week, and the Palace boss hopes to add two more before the big kick off on Saturday, by Joseph O'Shea.

The 28-year-old international stopper returned to Palace on Tuesday after a successful trial last month, and will put pen to paper on a three year deal if he passes a routine medical.

The 6ft 4ins Hungarian number one has 22 caps and will join Palace on a free transfer after his contract with Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin expired this summer.

Kiraly, who was attracting interest from Manchester City, will compete with £500,000 Argentinian signing Julian Speroni, who has been the star of Palace's pre-season campaign.

Dowie said: "Kiraly is just about done. We have agreed everything in principle and we are waiting for everything to be tied up, subject to a medical.

"He's the Hungarian number one, so I have bought two number ones and Julian is going to have to be on his toes."

The revival of Kiraly's transfer comes as something of a surprise after he accused Palace of reneging on a verbal contract offer and faxing one that was "only fit for a youth player."

But Dowie said: "There were some things said and misconstrued by agents, but there was no reneging on a deal. I spoke to Gabor about that and it's not an issue."

Last week a one year loan deal for Birmingham midfielder Aliou Cisse was scuppered at the last minute when Portsmouth stepped in with a £300,000 bid for the Senegal international.

Having also had Hungarian play-maker Zoltan Gera snatched from his grasp by West Brom, and seen moves for Tim Cahill, Michael Carrick, Marlon Harewood and Fitz Hall fall through, Dowie admits to Palace's lack of success in the transfer market is becoming frustrating.

He said: "We would have liked some more bodies over the line and that's been the biggest frustration. But for now we have got to carry on with what we have got. It will go to the wire I would think."

"Hopefully we will spend money this week. We need to spend it and it's been frustrating but a lot of these problems are down to the club you are buying from."

Chairman Simon Jordan shares Dowie's confidence that new faces will arrive before the big kick off against Norwich on Saturday.

Jordan said: "We currently have offers on the table for various players for varying amounts totalling many millions and are hoping to complete these signings during the course of this week."

Dowie travelled to Trondheim on Sunday to watch 30-year-old Norway striker Frode Johnsen score for Rosenborg in their 4-1 victory over Lillestrom. But his club are reluctant to let him go and the international forward didn't sound keen on a move to South London.

He said: "Here, I have played in the Champions League three times. I will not do that with Crystal Palace."

Having seen deals publicised on the club's own website and then fall through, Dowie will not discuss his targets until deals are completed.

He said: "I was out at a game on Sunday, Kit was out in Europe and my brother was out of the country, so we are looking. I will hopefully be spending some of the club's money this week."

Other players linked include Ecuadorian midfielder Ivan Kaviedes, 26, who played for Celta Vigo in La Liga and is available on a free; midfield hardman Omar Milanetto, 30, from relegated Serie A side Modena for £600,000 and a loan deal for former Eagle Clinton Morrison.

Whether Palace do bring anyone in or not, Dowie is confident his promotion squad are equipped to deal with the Premiership challenge.

He added: "I am very confident in this bunch of players, they won't let me down and they will give me their all. Do we need better quality? Yes we do but that will come. This group of lads won't be found wanting for energy and effort."

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