February 23 2005

Emmerson Boyce

Emmerson Boyce has spoken of his relief after Iain Dowie admitted that the full back's long drawn-out contract extension talks should be completed by the weekend, by Stuart Pink.

The 25-year-old has been in talks with the Palace hierarchy since October after triggering a clause in his contract, which he signed in July, that entitled him to an extension if he made more than 10 appearances this season.

But contract talks have been repeatedly delayed until now, as Boyce looks set to be rewarded for his fine start to his Palace career with an extension committing him to the club until the summer of 2007.

Boyce said: "I have been waiting for quite a long time now. We have been trying to sort out the contract since October but I will be happy when it's all finished. It has been dragging on for quite a bit.

"As long as everything goes smoothly, and everything fits what I want and is good both ways, then hopefully it will get signed as soon as possible."

Dowie admitted on Tuesday that Boyce had been one of Palace's players of the season so far and was glad that the unsettling contract negotiations now look to be resolved.

Dowie said: "We're forcing ahead with this and its something we hope to be completed by the end of the week and get it done because I'm very keen for him to sign as he's been a very good player for us.

"To be playing ahead of Danny Butterfield week and week out just shows what he's done, because Danny is a quality player."

"I don't think anybody would doubt he deserves that, even Danny's hardest fan will be able to say that he deserves to play."

The former Luton man is now looking forward to concentrating on Palace's Premiership survival as he admitted the lack of progress in his contract talks did provide an unwanted distraction.

Boyce said: "Yes, it did to an extent because obviously you want to get secure and you want to get what you deserve.

"You are playing and you think if you're due to get a contract then you want it sorted out as quick as possible.

"Obviously it doesn't always happen like that but sometimes it is frustrating."

Another Palace star who has had his Eagles future resolved is Gabor Kiraly, who also triggered a clause in his contract by making a certain number of appearances this term.

The Hungarian has been a revelation so far this campaign and Dowie believes keeping the keeper at the club until June 2007 is a big coup for the Eagles.

Dowie said: "I'm very pleased with that and with the backing of the chairman in terms of it being an important deal for the club.

"We did need to secure the player, he's a top quality keeper."

Dowie was also quick to point out that Kiraly is a stand-out example of Palace's success in the foreign transfer market, after the club was questioned in certain sections of the media for bringing in Ivan Kaviedes who failed to make an impact at Selhurst Park.

Dowie added: "Again it's been a good spot by Bob getting him over and it's been a real bonus.

"People will talk about players that haven't worked out so well like Kaviedes, but let's talk about Gabor Kiraly because we had him for nothing and he's going to be a good, good signing."

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