CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Smith is forced into a defensive re-shuffle for tomorrow's trip to Turf Moor after transfer-listing experienced central defender Neil Ruddock.

The former Spurs, Liverpool and West Ham strongman played in Palace's 2-2 draw with West Brom last Saturday and has featured in 26 of the Eagles' games this season following a free transfer from Upton Park last summer.

However, Ruddock has this week been omitted from manager Alan Smith's first-team plans and after being left to train with the reserves there's no chance of the 32-year-old facing Burnley.

"We've agreed to put him on the transfer list because realistically he needs to be playing first-team football at this stage of his career and we can't guarantee that.

"It was agreed with Neil and his agent that he is available for transfer with immediate effect," confirmed Smith.

Palace are also without injured Chinese international captain Fan Zhiyi, who is back in his home country undergoing treatment, which could mean a new-look central defensive pairing of Dean Austin and Jamie Smith.

The Palace manager is mulling over the changes but feels his side can extend their unbeaten run to five games and continue their climb up the table at Burnley's expense.

Smith said: "I'm going to have to re-arrange things at the back a bit but I see this as a winnable game. We've had a couple of real tussles so it could a close thing."