VETERAN defender Andy Linighan has provided a rare but welcome degree of stability for Crystal Palace during what has been a torrid time in the club's history. The giant centre back, now aged 37, looked to be on his way out of Selhurst Park at the end of last season when, after figuring in 20 League matches for Palace, he was farmed out on loan to QPR.

But seven more appearances for Rangers at the end of the season suggested he still had something to offer, and that has certainly been the case in the current campaign for cash-strapped Palace.

For Linighan has missed less than two hours of League action so far and manager Steve Coppell will have been delighted to have been able to rely on such a stalwart, even though he might have preferred to have given him a break.

With 16 goals conceded by Palace in their six away matches so far, it hasn't been an easy ride for Linighan and company at the back.

But, as our statistics provided by Opta Index for the Nationwide Football League show, he has made a significant contribution.

And, for a side under so much pressure, just eight fouls - the same as Craig Short in less than half the time on the pitch - and one yellow card is a credit to Linighan's disciplined attitude.

Short has a much better success rate with his tackling than Linighan.

But it is probably a measure of the pressure that has been on Palace at times that Linighan has made a massive number of clearances, 150 so far, not to mention 37 blocks.

Despite their problems, Palace go into tonight's game only one point behind Rovers, having played one game more.

So there is not the difference between their performances so far that some might think - given the clubs' vastly-contrasting circumstances.

Both will rely on the experience of their central defenders to see them through a sticky spell.

For Linighan, that means maintaining the standards he has set through a lengthy career at various levels from Hartlepool to Arsenal.

While Short will be aiming to put last Saturday's traumatic afternoon behind him, after being red carded during his losing battle with Grimsby's Jack Lester.

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