PAUL Warhurst is talking to newly-promoted Crystal Palace about a £1.25 million move to Selhurst Park.

The out-of-contract Blackburn Rovers utility player had discussions with Wembley play-off winners Palace yesterday when he stayed behind as Roy Hodgson took the squad to Sweden for their pre-season build-up.

Warhurst was set for further talks today with Palace chairman Ron Noades who said he was "very hopeful" that a deal could be concluded.

Rovers offered Warhurst a new contract at the end of last season which he rejected.

He went on weekly terms from the end of last month and is free to talk to any interested clubs.

A £2,675,000 signing from Sheffield Wednesday in September 1993, Warhurst's time at Ewood has been dogged by major injury problems.

He had been with the club only a month when he suffered a broken right leg in a game at Swindon. Then , in April 1995, he broke his left leg during training. Other less-serious injury problems have also hampered his career.

But he is now fully fit again and is expected to move on again this summer.

Several clubs showed interest in him towards the end of last season, notably Birmingham, West Ham, Manchester City and Bolton.

It now looks as though Palace could be the ones to give a very versatile player a kick-start to his career as they return to the Premiership. Warhurst has filled a number of positions for Rovers but started only five Premiership games last season. He was substitute on a number of other occasions and scored two goals - both against Manchester United.

Matty Holmes also stayed behind when the squad flew to Sweden. He too is hoping to find a new club and manager Roy Hodgson revealed that he could be talking to interested parties soon.

Two of the younger members of the squad, Damien Duff and Marlon Brooomes, were also omitted from the trip.

Duff only finished playing for the Republic of Ireland in the World Youth Championships in Malaysia last weekend.

And Broomes suffered a knee injury while representing England in the same competition.

"I have given Damien Duff two weeks holiday, while Marlon Broomes needs to rest his knee and will stay behind with Alan Smith," said Hodgson.

The club are also having talks with the Republic of Ireland about obtaining Duff's release from an under-18 international match in a couple of weeks time.

They feel, understandably, that it would be better for the player to spend some time with his club, especially after such a hectic summer.

Rovers had a trouble-free trip to Sweden where they began preparations last night for their opening tour game against IFK Gothenburg.

The first match against the Swedish giants will be staged in the town of Jonkopping, where a big crowd is expected on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers are sending a reserve side to Portmadog to play a couple of pre-season friendlies this weekend.

Tomorrow night, they take on the hosts Portmadog (kick-off 7-30pm) and, on Saturday, they face a Wrexham side (3pm).

Latest Double Your Money Club £500 winner is A Panaro (Blackburn), number 647A.

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