NEIL Warnock admits he has been impressed by Ahmed Abou Mosalem during his trial at Selhurst Park.

The Egyptian left-back played in a friendly for the Eagles on Tuesday and the manager said a possible transfer from Strasbourg could be on the cards.

Warnock revealed: "He has been in and done quite well and is a bright lad.

"I had a player called Fahti up at Sheffield United. They are really very alert players, the Egyptians, and technically very good.

"I've spoken to his man to talk about the possibilities, because there aren't many good left sided players at the minute, but he is a possibility.

"Obviously Strasbourg will want a transfer fee for him, but we will look into that."

Warnock is still trying to agree a deal to make Shaun Derry's loan move from Leeds United permanent, although a lack of agreement between the two sides and other potential targets could place Derry's stay at Selhurst in doubt.

He said: "We spoke to them, but I don't think the two clubs can agree anything so we will just have to wait and see what develops.

"I spoke to Shaun and he knows I'm also probably after another player in that area, so we will have to wait and see. There's over a week of the window left."

The Eagles boss also laughed down suggestions Crystal Palace may be in the running to bring Wayne Routledge back to the club from Spurs.

"Not unless we sell the ground," he quipped.

However, Warnock claimed he is "quietly optimistic" highly-rated youngster John Bostock will put pen to paper on the contract he has been offered by the club.

Meanwhile, Jeff Hughes's protracted exit to Bristol Rovers is in doubt after the Ulsterman was unable to agree terms with the Pirates.

Warnock explained: "We've agreed a deal but unfortunately the lad can't agree, so at the moment it is up in the air.

"He has got one or two personal issues which we can't agree to. We've agreed to lower his fee, but we can't agree on personal terms."

Crystal Palace will continue their promotion bid tomorrow when they entertain second-placed Bristol City at Selhurst.

If the Eagles avoid defeat, it will extend their unbeaten league run to 15 games and give Warnock his best spell in the dugout.

However, the boss is taking nothing for granted against a side he rates very highly.

He said: "It is going to be similar to the West Brom game because I thought they were the best team and, at the moment, Bristol are the second best and there's not much in it.

"Gary Johnson has done a fabulous job there and it is a good club. You are not up there at this stage of the season without having a good team and I think the team ethic is very good there."