Rodger hopes for Palace return

Crystal Palace's Simon Rodger hopes to be back for tomorrow's game against Portsmouth after missing the 5-2 drubbing at Grimsby because of a back injury.

However, central defenders Kit Symons and Tony Popovic are still recovering from groin strains and are unikely to be available.

Ade Akinbiyi would like a place in the starting line-up but will understand if he remains on the bench. "If I can play well coming on as a substitute to help the team get into the Premiership, then I'm doing my job," he said.