Having lost out-of-contract winger Julian Gray to Birmingham last week, Crystal Palace will be boosted by the signatures of three senior players when they return to training this week.

Tony Popovic, 31, Michael Hughes, 33, and Aki Riihilahti, 27, will find new two-year deals waiting for them when they return to the New Beckenham training ground on Thursday.

All three players have indicated their willingness to stay at Palace, where they played central roles last season as Iain Dowie guided the Eagles from fourth bottom to victory in the play-off final.

Popovic, who joined Palace in 2001 from Hiroshima, can only sign his new deal if he is granted a new work permit by the Home Office.

Winger Julian Gray, 24, has rejected Palace's offer of an improved three-year deal to join Birmingham City on a free transfer. Gray spoke to Iain Dowie last week before confirming his decision to rejoin former boss Steve Bruce and team-mates Clinton Morrison and Mikael Forsell at St Andrews.

He said: "The time I spent working under Steve at Palace was a big factor in me deciding to join Birmingham.

"I have spoken to both Clinton and Mikael since they have been there and they have told me what a good club it is."

Palace boss Iain Dowie, assistant Kit Symons and fitness coach John Harbin are all set to sign new four-year deals and begin the recruitment drive for next season.

Palace have reportedly had an increased bid of £750,000 for Dundee's Argentine goalkeeper Julian Speroni accepted by the cash-strapped club.

Last week manager Jim Duffy revealed that the highly-rated 25-year-old would be on his way to Selhurst if personal terms can be agreed.

Duffy said: "We have accepted Palace's offer and whether or not the deal goes through is now down to Julian.

"He is a very good goalkeeper and a very good guy and I am pleased for him that he is getting the chance to play at that level."