Too late: Sasa's future looks grim under El Tel. (Photopress)

While Eagles' star Matt Jansen is doing his best to curb reports ofa move to the Premiership's Blackburn, Sasa Curcic's Palacecareer is still shrouded in doubt, writes Carl Gunaratnam.

England U21 international Jansen, just back from injury, was beingtipped to join Brian Kidd's Rovers revolution before last week'sdraw with Tranmere and again after Saturday's 1-1 at Bristol City.

But with Palace embarking on their crucial Christmas programme, the youngstriker has said: "There have been clubs after me, but I'vesigned a six-year contract here and I'm happy. It's up to MrVenables and Mr Goldberg if they want to sell me."

Despite the 21-year-old's pledge, El Tel will need to get Palacemoving towards the right end of the table soon to secure Jansen'slong term future. With Jansen setting the first division alight, he hasalready admitted that he does not want to stay in the Nationwide leaguemuch longer.

"I do have ambitions to play at a higher level, of course I do, andif that's with Palace then great," he said.

Unfortunately for another Palace hero ,pledges of loyalty may have cometoo late. The enigmatic Yugoslav Sasa Curcic was dropped from last Tuesday'ssquad amid rumours of a training ground bust up with boss Terry Venablesand was also left out for the weekend trip to Bristol City. The signs arenot good for the 26- year-old, disgruntled by his failure to break intoPalace's starting eleven.

"Sasa was not in the squad and that's it," said Venables. "Itwas my decision and as to whether he'll be back, you'll have towait and see."

If Curcic goes he will be missed but not half as badly as the skills ofItalian maestro Attilio Lombardo, whom the Palace faithful are busy piningfor. Absent again on Saturday after failing to shake off a hamstringinjury, Lombardo's control was badly missed as Palace failed to beatone of the league's whipping boys.

Palace's bald Eagle was also hit by news this week that he couldmiss out on a handsome end of year bonus.

Previously an ever-present face after playing in all Palace's gamesthis season, his absence through injury in recent weeks has probably blownaway his bonus hopes unless the Eagles' hierarchy step in with anearly Christmas present.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.