Trevor Francis is hoping this week's international break will give his players a much-needed recovery time, and ease the Selhurst Park injury crisis before two crucial league derbies against Wimbledon and Brighton.

International call-ups for Aki Riihilahti, Alex Kolinko and Andrejs Rubins meant Saturday's Reading fixture has been postponed until Tuesday, November 26, giving Francis two full weeks to prepare for consecutive Selhurst Park derby games.

Although Francis is playing down the significance of the fixtures, Palace have gained just 11 points from 10 games and lie precariously in 16th place in Division One, creating a rising tide of discontent among the fans.

The news that former Palace favourite Steve Coppell will lead bottom club Brighton into their first Palace league derby for 15 years will provide added spice to a game already fuelled by bitter rivalry between the fans.

Failure to win the Brighton game and defeat against tenants Wimbledon could well prove the final straw for chairman Simon Jordan, who's backing for Francis has been notable by its absence during the stuttering start to this season.

Palace have been playing good football despite a number of injuries to key squad members, but surrendering an 84th minute lead at Stoke on Saturday was the latest example of their repeated failure to turn dominance into wins, which Francis puts down to missed chances.

He said: "We have been playing well all season and we will continue doing what we are doing.

"We are dominating long periods of games but we are not taking a big enough ratio of the chances we are creating, which is frustrating."

The international break will provide a welcome rest period for players carrying niggling injuries like Dougie Freedman, Darren Powell (both hamstring), Andrew Johnson, Curtis Fleming (both ankle), Tony Popovic (knee), Hayden Mullins (flu) Shaun Derry (nose) and Alex Kolinko (groin). While also allowing more fitness work for long-term casualties Julian Gary (foot) and Kit Symons (groin) who this week returned to light training after seven months out.

Francis said: "When you have injuries like we have had, it means you have to push players like Julian Gray back before you would like. By the time we get to the Wimbledon game he's one who will benefit from the break."

In November Francis should also be able to call on the services of £2.4million striker Ade Akinbiyi, who is recovering from knee surgery, and also Steve Kabba who will return on November 23 after three months on loan at Grimsby, to compete with the other four strikers.

October 9, 2002 12:00