Palace back in for Adebola

The Selhurst Park side hope to sign the 27-year-old on a pay-as-you-pay contract after the Nigerian-born hit-man was released by the St. Andrews club at the end of last season.

Adebola has been dogged by injury the last two seasons and failed to impress Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp during a trial at Fratton Park last month.

One player that will not be returning to Palace is French goalkeeper Cedric Carasso.

The 21-year-old custodian spent the last five months of last season on loan with The Eagles from Le Championnat side Marseille and Francis admitted last month that he was keen to make his move a permanent one.

However, the move has fallen through and Carasso will return to the Stade Velodrome club, with the youngster having been linked with a move to French Second Division side Lorient.

Meanwhile, Francis has found himself in hot water after being banished from the dug-out after slapping one of his own players during Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Bradford City.

The Eagles boss clipped Latvian keeper Alex Kolinka in the back of the head following The Bantams go-ahead goal by Andy Tod at Selhurst Park.

He was banished from the dug-out to the stands for the remainder of the match where he saw his side equalise through Tony Popovic to earn a point.

Francis was keen to play down the incident, saying: "I was very disappointed by their goal and, when I turned around I saw Kolinko laughing, so I cuffed him around the ear.

"It was only a bit of fun and the view was actually better from the stand."