Crystal Palace v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview

ALBERT and Attilio, it sounds an unlikely alliance.

But it's one which Crystal Palace boss Steve Coppell hopes will keep the Eagles soaring in the Premiership this season.

Paul Warhurst, alias Albert - the nickname he brought to Ewood and which apparently derives from former Coronation Street character Albert Tatlock - and Attilio Lombardo hail from different sides of the football tracks.

But they have already proved a couple of likely lads in Palace colours, helping the newly-promoted Londoners to two wins and six crucial points from their first four games back in the top flight.

And they do share a common bond.

Both were struck down by serious injury shortly after making dream moves to clubs on the verge of something really big.

Warhurst, of course, was in only his fifth Rovers game, following a £2.7 million move from Sheffield Wednesday when he suffered a broken leg.

And, later in his injury-plagued Ewood career, he was to be hit by another fracture, sustained in a training ground accident.

Lombardo, meanwhile, emerged from the Italian backwater of Cremonese to play a key role in Sampdoria's 1991 Serie A title success.

Joining giants Juventus in 1995, he broke an ankle in a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

But Coppell had no qualms about investing a substantial quantity of Palace's transfer money in the quality he reckons he has signed with the two major newcomers, now hoping their injury problems are well in the past.

Warhurst has started up front, alongside Bruce Dyer, with the Italian in a freer attacking role and, with three of the four London club's goals between them so far, their early influence is clear. As Coppell said: "Lombardo and Warhurst have given the whole squad a lift by their presence."

The ex-Rovers man scored his first Palace goal at Elland Road last Saturday, in a surprise 2-0 win over Leeds, and also figured in a defence-splitting move which led to the Italian's second Premiership strike.

But Warhurst, who cost £1.25 million, is under no illusions that Palace face a battle if they are to retain their newly-won status.

"It's going to be tough this season but I like the set-up and I have enjoyed the opening games," he said.

"We have to keep working hard. It's not going to be easy but our aim is at least to get into mid-table.

"I have enjoyed playing with Lombardo but we are not kidding ourselves that it will be tough."

Perhaps just how tough was underlined on Wednesday night when Palace went down 1-0 at Southampton.

They had plenty of the game but wasted numerous chances and Coppell might consider a change in attack for tomorrow's clash with unbeaten Rovers.

Warhurst seems certain to start but he could have a new partner with Doug Freedman and Neil Shipperley knocking on the door. Both were used as substitutes on Wednesday and Dyer's place could be in danger - though the striker should have had a penalty when he looked to be blatantly fouled in the box.

Meanwhile Warhurst will have his thoughts on another kind of danger, the kind he aims to cause Rovers' defence.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.