Palace target Vickers

Steve Bruce is ready for transfer market move

Crystal Palace manager Steve Bruce has targeted Middlesbrough defender Steve Vickers to replace Fan Zhiyi.

The 30-year-old China international will miss almost half the season because of international duty.

Bruce is determined to bring in further cover after announcing he is close to a deal with Australian Tony Popovic.

The former Huddersfield chief's interest in 33-year-old Vickers could spell the end of Zhiyi's Palace career, with Bruce increasingly frustrated that his player of the year refuses to put club before country.

Patient

He said: "Another defender is my top priority even if we do sign Popovic, because of the Fan situation.

"Steve Vickers is someone who must be in my mind. I have put two bids in with other clubs on players and I'm waiting to hear back.

"We should also have Jovan Kirovski signed in the next few days and I haven't given up on Andy Campbell yet. I just have to be patient and wait until he is over his injury."

Campbell's £1m switch from Middlesbrough fell through after he failed a medical, but Bruce remains convinced he will get his man.