CRYSTAL Palace boss Ian Holloway hopes that defender Danny Gabbidon will be fit for Saturday's FA Cup 3rd Round clash against Stoke City, but is set to welcome back Damien Delaney.
The Irish defender has completed his three-match ban following his red card against Huddersfield Town and could be involved against Tony Pulis' side.
"It was only a precaution," Holloway said on taking Gabbidon off against Wolverhampton Wanderers on New Year's Day.
"That was only his third or fourth game in a very short period of time and he just felt his hamstring, so it's great to be able to get him off at half-time.
"Hopefully he'll be OK, and we've got Delaney back now with an FA Cup game next.
"I've been told by the chairman that he doesn't want me win the FA Cup, so that's a relief.
"We'll have a good go at it, but the cup run last year didn't really help this club with the league position it was in."
And the manager revealed he may give central midfielder Stuart O'Keefe a chance to shine in the next few weeks.
"Obviously, with Kagisho Dikgacoi going (to the African Cup of Nations), it's going to force one or two in that area, but I've got young Stuart O'Keefe as well and I'm going to give him a chance," said Holloway.
Meanwhile, young midfielder Jonathan Williams says Palace will be up for the game on Saturday and is happy to be back playing again after suffering a hamstring injury.
"Everything is feeling good and I've had no more niggles," he said.
"It's exciting (to play Stoke) and we want to play against Premier League teams.
"It's a tough draw but we look forward to the test on Saturday."
Follow me on Twitter for the latest Palace news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport
If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
Watch our exclusive away videos following Palace around the country on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport
