Crystal Palace are taking manager Steve Bruce to court in attempt to stop him walking out of the club without serving a period of notice.

A hearing was scheduled for yesterday as the News Shopper went to press, at which Palace officials will seek to gain an injunction requiring Bruce to serve nine months' notice.

Bruce, a target of Division One rivals Birmingham City, has already tried to tender his resignation but chairman Simon Jordan has refused to accept it.

As a result, Bruce was removed from control of team affairs but Jordan is keen to ensure the team's promotion chances are not affected by off-the-field events.

“If we had not taken this action, I think Bruce would have walked out and could have disrupted things for us,” Jordan told the Evening Standard.