Argyle v Palace. Match preview

Last updated : 10 January 2009 By Paul Stevens

On-loan Blackburn forward Paul Gallagher shrugged off a knee injury to feature from the start in the 3-1 FA Cup third-round defeat at Arsenal and has suffered no reaction following his return, so should keep his place.

Belgian striker Emile Mpenza is also set to come back into contention for a starting spot after a full week's training, having been an unused sub at Arsenal after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The cup tie also featured the debut of new on-loan Manchester United youngster David Gray at right-back.

And the Scotland Under-21 international is now poised to make his home bow against the Eagles, with fellow defender David McNamee serving the second instalment of a three-match ban for his red card against Cardiff.

Ben Watson will miss out again for Crystal Palace .

Eagles boss Neil Warnock was hopeful the midfielder, who has missed the last four games with a groin injury, would play some part at

Home Park but has now ruled him out for a further fortnight.

Warnock's midfield options are boosted by the return of captain Shaun Derry, who was suspended for last weekend's goalless FA Cup draw at Leicester.

Defender Paddy McCarthy is set to undergo surgery on the shoulder he dislocated again recently which will keep him out for around three months, so Matt Lawrence should continue at the back.

Transfer-listed striker Shefki Kuqi could return after sitting out with flu last time out, and fellow frontman James Scowcroft is still recovering from a torn hamstring.

Sporting Life