Stoke City and Crystal Palace are battling for Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell.

Sidwell is off contract at the relegated Cottagers next month.

The Sentinel says Sidwell happens to be a Crystal Palace fan, would apparently prefer to remain in London and manager Tony Pulis has long been an admirer.

Indeed, Pulis was miffed to lose out to Reading in January 2003 when he hoped to sign the then Arsenal reserve for Stoke.

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