Peter Taylor believes his Eagles side is just as good as promotion chasers Derby County, despite the contrasting fortunes of both clubs this season.

The two teams meet on Sunday in the final match at Selhurst Park of this campaign, with the Rams looking for a win to keep alive their automatic promotion hopes in their three-way tussle with Birmingham City and Sunderland.

Taylor insists he will not cast envious eyes towards his opposite number Billy Davies, as he believes there is little difference between the quality of both sides.

"The table does not lie - they deserve to be where they are because they have been more consistent than us," said Taylor.

"We played very well against them in the second half at Pride Park and I would not say they are better than us, just more consistent.

"We need to work on that if we are to be in a similar position to which they are in now next season, because we have the quality here."

The Palace boss will be desperate to put on a good performance at Selhurst Park to end the home fixtures on a good note following a disappointing campaign.

Striker Lewis Grabban is his main injury concern after the youngster picked up a knock in last Saturday's defeat against Barnsley, but Taylor should welcome back Paul Ifill if the winger came through yesterday's reserve clash against Millwall unscathed.

The former Sheffield United wideman had started to become a key figure in Taylor's side and the Palace boss feels his influence, plus a number of his youngsters, will really come to light next season.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Paul Ifill next season," said Taylor. "He will be fit and raring to go, and people like Dave Martin and Grabban will also be ones to look out for."

"With the experience they have picked up this season in their locker, they will only get better."

But Taylor insists the players must end their habit of conceding soft goals. "A lot of our games could have ended 0-0, but we have conceded silly goals and they have cost us."