Palace defender Fitz Hall says the chance to work with the Dowie brothers and fitness coach John Harbin convinced him to sign from Southampton, writes Joseph O'Shea.

The highly-rated 23-year-old signed a four-year contract after the clubs finally concluded a £1.5million transfer two weeks ago and has made an impressive start to his Palace career.

Hall said: "Once I knew they were in for me I always wanted to come to Palace and work with Iain Dowie again. I wasn't playing regularly for Southampton, so when I got the phone call I was delighted."

Having been released by Barnet, Hall played under Bob Dowie at non-league Chesham and it was on his recommendation that Iain spent £30,000 to take him to Oldham. An outstanding season at Boundary Park where he scored five goals in 50 appearances saw Saints shell out £250,000 11 months ago, but he made just 11 appearances at St Mary's and jumped at the chance of a reunion with the Dowies and Harbin.

Hall said: "They got my career started and took me out of non-league football. When you are playing non-league you think you are never going to get out of it, so I am lucky to have been given a chance.

"I spoke to Iain and said I wanted to come and play for him, and if he's staying for four years, I want to."

And Dowie's confidence in Hall's ability has been evident in selecting him out-of-position in central midfield for the opening two games of the season.

He said: "I didn't think I would be playing centre midfield, but I have just got on with it. I prefer to play centre half."