Palace manager Trevor Francis says the club needs to sell before buying any players and he confirmed that Birmingham City are the only club to have bid for striker Clinton Morrison.

There were no new additions to the playing squad that arrived back for training on Monday, which has been depleted by the departure of out-of-contract players Simon Rodger and Jovan Kirovski.

Francis says he does expect to make up to three signings this summer but he cannot buy until someone is sold.Francis told the Guardian: "We've identified one or two players that we'd like to bring in, but, we do need at this moment to sell first. But I would like to think that between now and the 10th August we can strengthen the squad."

When asked about Clinton Morrison's rumoured £5million transfer to Charlton Athletic, he said: "There's been enquires or supposed offers around the deadline last season but it hasn't happened has it! There's definitely interest from Birmingham but I'm not aware of interest from Charlton. I don't think there's any truth in that."

Former club captain Dean Austin and US defender Gregg Berhalter are on the transfer-list but Palace have received no enquires and it seems increasingly likely that Morrison, who was a squad player at the World Cup, may be sacrificed to finance new blood.

Francis added: "I think that at most Nationwide league football clubs, finance has been hit badly so we're in position, like most, where we have to be quite shrewd.

"The squad is quite low at the moment so we can't afford allow too many more players to go." Gregg Berhalter looks certain to be on his way, despite telling the Guardian he was hoping for another chance at Selhurst Park after his performances in Japan.

Francis said: "I'm very pleased he got the opportunity to play and also he certainly played well but two good games doesn't really alter my thinking."

July 3, 2002 11:00