Hands off AJ – Dowie

Last updated : 06 January 2006 By Nik Taylor

Eagles boss Iain Dowie has warned Premiership clubs off making a bid for England striking ace Andrew Johnson.

The 24-year-old hotshot has been constantly linked with a move away from Palace ever since the Eagles were relegated from the Premiership last season.

West Ham have already had a £5m bid turned down, and Birmingham were reportedly interested in acquiring their former striker.

But Dowie says he has no interest in selling his star player while Palace remain in the fight for an immediate return to the top flight.

"There is no chance of AJ leaving during the window," said Dowie. "If we want to make a Premiership return, we need to keep our best players here - and AJ is certainly one of those."