SHAUN Derry, Leeds United's midfield hard man, returns to Crystal Palace tomorrow with no hard feelings against the Londoners' manager Iain Dowie.

It was Dowie who denied Derry a regular place in Palace's team after the Nottingham-born player had helped them into the Premiership.

Derry goes back to Selhurst Park for the first time since being sold to Leeds and said: "I feel no bitterness towards Iain Dowie. For one reason or another he decided I wasn't good enough to feature in his 11 in the Premiership, but as things have turned out I am at a better place here.

"Any bitterness I had soon left when I knew I would be playing Palace in the Championship. I am not sure what kind of reception I am going to get, but if we take the three points I don't care."

Derry is available after serving his second suspension of the season, having accumulated ten yellow cards but promises he won't be changing his combative style.

"I don't like to miss games but I am not going to change the way I play. I've served my ban and go into the closing months of the season with a clean slate," he said.

"Palace are on a good run, but so are we. They will be expecting a much more competitive match than they faced against Norwich last week."

Charles tribute

LEEDS United have commissioned a bust of club legend John Charles to further honour the 'Gentle Giant' following his death two years ago.

The Yorkshire club have already renamed the West Stand at Elland Road as a lasting tribute to the former Welsh international and will display the bust in the reception area of the stadium when it is completed.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, March 03, 2006