Palace v Torquay United

Selhurst Park, Tuesday 7.30pm

Carling Cup

Team news

New Palace striker Stern John is out of the tie after injuring his elbow on his debut against Plymouth on Saturday. Boss Neil Warnock said: "The news is not as bad as we first thought. He had a scan and although it's still swollen there's no break, just damage around the elbow. Alan Lee, who replaced him and scored the equalising goal, could step in.

Jose Fonte faces a fitness test on his thigh problem and Calvin Andrew is still sidelined with a knee injury. Freddie Sears has been called up to play for the England U21s and Nick Carle for Australia so both won't feature.

New Torquay defender Kieran Charnock hopes to make his Gulls debut, while Mustapha Carayol is back from a hamstring injury.

Quotes

Gulls boss Paul Buckle

"I'm delighted we've started the season with a win. We've waited two years for this (to get back into the Football League) and to start with a win makes all the hard work and graft worthwhile because it's basically the same group of players.

"We were a bit edgy to start with as you can see we had a brand new kit, we are in a brand new league and there were 4,000 in the ground and all the people in Torquay have waited a long time to be back in the Football League.

"Expectations were high but the players lived up to them. The players did very well and we got two quality goals, both well constructed."

Palace coach Keith Curle

"We're playing our full strength team. I think it's important for every team at the beginning of the season to get that first win.

"You want that winning mentality not only for the players but for everybody involved in the football club, what we're trying to create is a winning culture."

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
12/08/2003	League Cup	Torquay United	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
25/08/1998	League Cup	Crystal Palace	2 - 1	Torquay United
11/08/1998	League Cup	Torquay United	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
16/12/1961	League	Crystal Palace	7 - 2	Torquay United
19/08/1961	League	Torquay United	1 - 2	Crystal Palace

All time results

One to watch

Chris Hargreaves

The midfielder is Torquay's creative influence and tends to score on the big occasions.

Ref watch

D J Phillips

Last meeting

Torquay United 1-1 Palace

Tuesday August 12 2003

Torquay United: Van Heusden, Canoville, Woods, Taylor, Hankin, Hill (Wills, 110), Hockley, Russell, Fowler (Graham, 20), Kuffour (Benefield, 95), Woozley

Subs not used: Dearden, Burgess

Booking: Hill

Goal: Graham 61

Palace: Berthelin, Powell, Symons (Black, 67), Popovic (sent off 74), Butterfield, Riihilahti (Watson, 55), Derry, Routledge (Smith, 55), Johnson, Freedman, Shipperley

Subs not used: Clarke, Williams

Bookings: Popovic, Smith

Goal: Freedman 29

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