Damien Delaney doesn't fear Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Eagles open their season at Selhurst Park against their north London rivals, who will be expected to brush aside last season's Championship play-off victors as they begin their campaign for a top-four finish.

But, despite the odds being stacked against them, Delaney holds no fear for Spurs or their talisman Gareth Bale - if he fails to secure a move to Real Madrid in the next five days.

"It's a great opening match - it's what you want to be part of," he said.

"We are not going to fear it and we are not going to be worried. We are going to come out fighting and we are going to be ready.

"Spurs are a good side but this is why we grafted so much last year, for days like Sunday and we are looking forward to it.

"I couldn't care less about Gareth Bale's future if I am honest. It's Tottenham's issue and I am sure they will deal with it.

"I am not worried about Gareth Bale and I'm not worried about Tottenham in general. We will worry about ourselves like we did last year and focus on ourselves and make sure we are ready.

"If we are ready and Tottenham turn us over or we win, then at least we know we are ready and we will not get distracted by things out of our control."

The Eagles completed their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 defeat at home to Lazio on Saturday and Delaney is now itching to get the season started.

"It's been a long time coming and a long wait," he said.

"I am looking forward to it. It has been a long pre-season and it has been dragging on, but now we want to get up and running and into our normal routine.

"It has been a good pre-season and very well balanced. Everyone looked really sharp on Saturday and training has been really good, it is just a case of getting on with it."

With Delaney in line to start against Tottenham, it marks a remarkable turnaround in his fortunes over the past 12 months.

Last August, the Irish international was surplus to requirements at Ipswich and considering a move to the United States, before Dougie Freedman brought him to Palace on a free transfer.

"It's just testament to sticking at it and staying in there," he added.

"You have to have perseverance and if you stick at something long enough the Gods have to conspire to help you."