Former Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades has played down reports he is set to return to Selhurst Park. Noades admits he has been in contact with Steve Parish and Martin Long, who head the CPFC 2010 consortium, throughout the takeover process but is adamant he is not on the verge taking a role with the Coca-Cola Championship club.

But Noades told the Croydon Advertiser: "The way it was presented suggested that I have been waiting in the wings the whole time and now I'm about to get on board, but I'm not going in with 2010.

"I have spoken with Steve and I know Martin very well. I am speaking to them again in the next few days and am here to help in any way I can, but to say that I am now certain to get involved in the consortium is not right."