JAMES Scowcroft has joined the Eagles in a £500,000 deal from Coventry City. The 30-year-old, who can play in midfield or as a striker, has agreed a three-year deal. Scowcroft has played for new Palace boss Peter Taylor at Leicester City and for the England under-21 team.

THE new season's squad numbers have been revealed. Goalkeeper Scott Flinders has been handed the number one jersey, with Gabor Kiraly switching to 28 and Julian Speroni taking Mikele Leigertwood's old number 12. Central defender Leon Cort will wear the number six shirt and midfielder Mark Kennedy will wear 15. James Scowcroft will wear Andy Johnson's old number eight shirt.

AUSTRALIAN international defender Tony Popovic has left the Eagles to join Al Arabi in Qatar. The 33-year-old, who played in this year's World Cup, was offered a new deal to stay at the club. Popvic moved to Selhurst Park in 2001 and served as Palace's club captain.

DEFENDER Rhoys Wiggins faces six months out injured after rupturing knee ligaments during Palace's 3-1 win against Crystal Palace USA. The Welsh under-21 international, who signed his first professional contract this summer, will have to undergo surgery.

TRANSFER gossip has linked a pair of Palace players with moves to Premiership clubs. Following Iain Dowie's controversial move to become Charlton boss, the Addicks are rumoured to be interested in signing defender Emmerson Boyce. The right-back, who joined the club before the 2004/05 season, was named Palace's Player of the Year last season. Winger Jobi McAnuff has been linked with a move to Watford.