Noades knew about Jordan coup

Ron Noades insists he is happy to have sold Selhurst Park to chairman Simon Jordan.

Ex-Eagles supremo Noades had retained the freehold of the stadium after leaving his post at the club in 1998.

Believing that Noades might exploit his love for the club, Jordan therefore used a third party to front the offer and eventually secure the stadium for £12 million.

Noades claims he always knew of Jordan's plans and is delighted with the deal anyway.

"We knew it was a shell company who were buying it," Noades told Sky Sports News.

"I would have been quite happy to have sold directly to Simon. If he feels he had to go in that direction to achieve the sale then fine, we're very happy.

"I did say I wouldn't sell it to him on one occasion because he stood on stage at Fairfield Hall and said that I'd be dead by the time the lease ran out which I didn't think was very nice.

"For Simon to have actually bought the ground is the best thing that could possibly happen for the club.

"I held onto the ground because I wanted to ensure there was always a ground for Crystal Palace to play at.

"If they went into administration again they could always start with a new team providing the stadium was there.

"Simon needs the ground to dispose of it or in order to keep it up, it's up to him to demonstrate Palace's future.

"He hasn't said whether Crystal Palace football club are buying the ground or whether Simon Jordan is buying the ground."

Meanwhile boss Peter Taylor has recalled Lewis Grabban early from his extended loan spell at League One side Oldham Athletic.

The 18-year-old had joined The Latics on a month's loan initially before four weeks were added to his stay on September 15.

But the pacey forward has now returned to Selhurst Park a week ahead schedule, to bolster the team for the testing winter period.