CRYSTAL PALACE coach Brian Sparrow, in charge of the relegated team until the end of the season, insisted Terry Venables will not have to carry out a ruthless clear-out of players should he become manager next season. The ex-England boss has agreed to take charge of his former club despite their relegation from the Premiership if Mark Goldberg completes his proposed takeover. Venables, who managed Palace between 1976-80 after a spell as a player, is expected to bring in his own backroom staff as well as players to Selhurst Park. But Sparrow, who picked Saturday's team against Bolton after player-coach Attilio Lombardo stepped down, believes the Eagles still have the nucleus of a good side. "I think Terry can work with the majority of the players here rather than come in with a completely new broom," he said ahead of tonight's home game with West Ham. "We have players here like Paul Warhurst, Neil Shipperley and Attilio Lombardo who have all played at the highest level and they can fit into Terry's system. Matt Jansen has been a good signing, Marcus Bent is under-rated and Sasa Curcic was a revelation against Derby, he was absolutely everywhere. If Mark Goldberg and Terry come in there's a good chance of us coming straight back up. We are looking forward to next season." That attitude was evident in Sparrow's team selection for Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Bolton which was influenced by chairman Ron Noades' plea to give those who are likely to play next year a chance. There was no sign of either Michele Padovano nor Tomas Brolin who are both expected to leave next week Brolin becomes a free agent and, because Palace have not finished paying his transfer fee yet, Padavano is likely to return to Juventus. Sparrow and coach Ray Lewington are expected to continue that policy at home to the Hammers with Jansen and Bent getting further experience in a new-look attack. Changes could be made at the back however with Jamie Smith returning to shore up a leaky defence. West Ham are down to bare bones for their vital penultimate Premiership match. After two successive thrashings - at home to Southampton and at Liverpool - the Hammers must win their last two games to be in with a good chance of clinching a UEFA Cup spot. They finish the season at home to fellow European chasers Leicester on Sunday, when Steve Potts and Lee Hodges are expected to make their comebacks from ankle injuries. Andy Impey could return tonight if he passes a fitness test but return then after ankle injuries, but John Moncur is definitely out for the week with shin and ankle problems sustained at Liverpool and Tim Breacker and Steve Potts also join Julian Dicks and Richard Hall on the injured list. Manager Harry Redknapp claimed he fielded his only fit 11 senior players at Anfield, although French striker Samassi Abou came on for Eyal Berkovic, who gave another disappointing away performance. Former England schoolboy international Manni Omoyimni, who played for 15 minutes on Saturday, may get a rare start at Selhurst Park. Redknapp has postponed all three of the Hammers' reserves games scheduled for this week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) because they would limit his choice of available professionals even further.

HAMMERS ADD TO FOREIGN LEGION   West Ham have signed a third French player, international midfielder Marc Keller from German side Karlsruhe under the Bosman ruling. The 30-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract from July, hopes to be included in the French 22 for the World Cup which is announced on today. Keller has played four times for France since Euro 96 and is in the current French squad of 26 players but did not make the team for their last friendly in Sweden. "I wanted to leave Germany because I've been here for two years and England is very popular now with French players since Eric Cantona's success," said the former Mulhouse and Strasbourg player. "Bernard Lama told me about the club when we were in Moscow for France's game against Russia and they have good ambition for the future. I am hoping to play in the UEFA Cup for West Ham next season so I will be praying that we win in Crystal palace and against Leicester on Saturday. it would be good for the club and the players." Keller, who can play on the right or left side of midfield is best friends with Arsenal's Remi Garde but says he will spend a lot of his time with new team-mate and countryman Samassi Abou. "I will have to translate for Abou as he does not speak much English! I have played against him in France and he is a good player. I saw West Ham play Wimbledon so I know all about Hartson, Kitson, Sinclair, Ferdinand and I am confident we can be successful."

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