PALACE'S trip to the Riverside to take on Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the Carling Cup has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 30. Ticket sales and coach travel arrangements for the game, which kicks off at 8pm, will be announced in due course.

FIRST-TEAMERS Tony Popovic, Mikele Leigertwood and Danny Granville were all expected to play some part in the Surrey Senior Cup game at Beckenham Town last night (Tuesday). Australian international Popovic has been missing since September with the calf injury he sustained in training, while Granville has been recovering after an operation on his knee. Leigertwood is also expected to return from his ankle problems as Kit Symons took a relatively strong squad to Beckenham.

ALF NOAKES, Palace's former defender, has passed away last weeek aged 72, the club has sadly announced. Noakes was born in east London in 1933 and joined Palace from Sittingbourne in the summer of 1955, having previously been associated with West Ham. He went on to serve the Eagles well over the next seven years. At first Noakes appeared in various positions but soon settled at left-back, where he was an integral part of the side from 1957. A tough-tackling defender, he was an important member of the promotion side as Palace climbed out of the Fourth Division in style in 1961. In total Noakes made 209 first team appearances scoring 14 goals, including four in five games in September 1959. In July 1962 he joined Portsmouth where he played for a couple of years. The club sends its deepest sympathy to his family and relatives at this sad time.

AT THE Sheffield United match Palace are holding their centenary fireworks display.