Bruce turns to Tony

Crystal Palace manager Steve Bruce expects to give Australian international Tony Popovic his debut in their Worthington Cup first round clash at Leyton Orient tonight.

Popovic, a free transfer from Japanese side Hiroshima, comes into the side to replace Fan Zhiyi who is away on international duty with China.

Bruce said of the defender, who has 40 caps for Australia: "Tony is a quality player who is keeping Craig Moore and West Ham's Hayden Foxe out of the Australian side. He is a very good addition to our squad."

But Bruce could be without defender Jamie Smith (Achilles), midfielder Aki Riihilahi (illness) and striker Dougie Freedman (thigh), who are all rated doubtful.

The Worthington Cup was the highlight of Palace's campaign last season after they reached the semi-final, only to lose to Liverpool over two legs.

Bruce is determined to maintain their good start to the season, which has seen two wins in the league, and admitted: "It will be tough. We know Orient will be wanting to turn us over, but we have to go there in the right frame of mind and be positive."

Orient are expected to hand the role of blasting Palace out of the Cup to teenage striker Jabo Ibehre after the 18-year-old was declared fit from his Achilles tendon injury.