Crystal Palace legened Geoff Thomas has paid tribute to striker Dougie Freedman ahead of his testimonial tonight and called John Bostock’s move to Tottenham a difficult decision.

The 43-year-old launched his new autobiography, Riding Through the Storm, in the Whitgift Centre this afternoon, signing copies of the book that details his epic ride through the Tour de France, his battle against Leukemia and his time in football.

He is heading to Selhurst Park for Freedman’s testimonial tongiht and will be one of a number of former players appearing on the pitch at half time.

“I played with Dougie at Nottingham Forest,” he said.

“He had a difficult time there but Dougie’s done very well. He is a good guy to have in the dressing room.

“If you get 10 years service at a club it’s pretty rare these days and he deserves his testimonial. He also wants to give money to charity and chose my foundation as one so I’m thankful to him for that.”

Palace lost Bostock to Spurs last month when a football league tribunal ruled they had to pay just £700,000 up front for the 16-year-old.

Thomas admitted it would be difficult for a boy of Bostock’s age to make the right choice, but felt he was unlikely to break into the Spurs first team.

He said: “Clubs like Palace they have to invest in youngsters, all of their time and effort goes into these kids and Palace have a very good academy.

“Other clubs are fully aware of this and everyone was raving about Jon Bostock.

“Palace fans were looking forward to seeing him play first team football but it’s difficult for a young lad to make the right decision at this time.

“I think he’s going on to a big club and he may not have the opportunity to play first team football like he would at Palace next season.”

Thomas was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2003. After recovering he set up his own charity, The Geoff Thomas Foundation, to raise money for research into Leukemia treatments.

He has recently won government backing from health minister Alan Johnson as the foundation aims to finance £20m worth of research into drug and treatment trials tackling leukaemia and other blood cancers.