Austin contract to be paid up

Jordan has predicted "18 months of pain" as he tries to reduce the wage bill at Selhurst Park and is in talks to terminate the 32-year-old defender's contract.

Austin has made more than 130 league appearances for Palace but has only played in 5 games (four of those as substitute) this term under Trevor Francis and was stripped of the captaincy after criticising Jordan earlier this season.

Jordan said: "We are in discussions to terminate Dean's contract. The deal's done. He wants to progress his opportunities somewhere else.

"We think his first-team opportunities would be limited this year."