Eagles close to Marrow transplant

Crystal Palace manager George Burley has revealed he is close to wrapping up the permanent transfer of on-loan Blackburn youngster Alex Marrow.The 20-year-old midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Oldham last campaign, has impressed for the Eagles this campaign since joining in August on a six-month loan deal from Rovers making 17 appearances.Burley told News Shopper: "I think we're fairly close. We're talking to Blackburn and to Alex himself with a view to making it a permanent deal, so fingers crossed we can get that sorted out before January."Alex is very versatile. He can play full-back, centre-half or in the centre of midfield. He's important to the team, he's young, he's enthusiastic and a he's very good pro."It will be good for us to get a permanent deal for him completed because he's been very good for us while on loan."