Warnock takes blame following Derry 'snub' for Leeds Shaun Derry: No decision on permanent deal at Palace « Previous « PreviousNext » Next » View GalleryBy Richard Sutcliffe EXCLUSIVE: Neil Warnock has leapt to the defence of Shaun Derry over his failure to return early to Leeds United by insisting it was his decision to keep him in London. As revealed exclusively in the Yorkshire Post earlier this week, Dennis Wise had tried to recall the 30-year-old from his loan spell with Crystal Palace to solve an injury crisis in midfield. With Jonathan Douglas and Jonny Howson out injured and captain Alan Thompson and Radostin Kishishev both carrying knocks, the United manager wanted Derry to play against Oldham Athletic. However, Palace turned down the request and, with no recall clause having been inserted in the initial deal, Wise was left frustrated. It is understood the Leeds chief left Derry in no doubt as to his feelings in a heated telephone conversation on New Year's Eve. Assistant manager Dave Bassett then revealed after the 3-1 defeat to Oldham just how angry Wise felt over the saga, adding that Derry would have "a bit of a problem" if he returned to Elland Road after his two-month loan spell at Selhurst Park ends on January 19. The midfielder has come in for stinging criticism from Leeds fans on internet messageboards and radio phone-ins since it was revealed that Wise had failed in his attempts to recall a player whose wages are still being paid in part by the Yorkshire club. Palace manager Warnock has, however, refuted the suggestion that Derry had snubbed Leeds by deciding not to answer the SOS call. The Eagles chief told the Yorkshire Post: "Dennis asked me on New Year's Eve for permission to let Shaun go back to Leeds before January 19, but I refused because I have to look after the interests of my own club. "The loan deal runs until January 19 and I have told Shaun 'I am sorry, but I cannot let you go back before then'. We need him here. "Shaun knows he is a Leeds United player, but the decision was not his to make. It was mine as the manager of Crystal Palace." Palace's reluctance to let go of Derry is perhaps understandable with the midfielder having become an integral member of a team that is on the up in the Championship. In his 10 appearances for the club since moving to London on loan in mid-November, the Eagles have claimed seven wins and three draws to soar to eighth in the table. The burning question now is whether Derry returns to Elland Road or not when his loan deal expires, but Warnock is remaining tight-lipped over what the next move will be. He said: "Shaun was badly in need of match fitness when he joined us, but has come along nicely and has settled in well. "The deal runs until January 19 so we have a couple of weeks before a decision has to be made. But I have been happy with Shaun so far. "I will make the decision nearer the time." It is difficult to see how Derry could return to Leeds with an already fractured relationship between player and manager having deteriorated dramatically over the past few days. Bassett alluded to this after the defeat to Oldham, saying: "Palace only pay part of his wages and he has another 18 months to go here. "If Neil Warnock does not want to sign him (permanently) then Shaun has a bit of a problem. He will come back and have a problem with the manager. He thinks he is not too bothered about Leeds United. "Shaun Derry is in limbo." Derry joined Leeds from Palace in February, 2005, and has gone on to make 71 league appearances for the club. It is almost a year since he last played for United, however, with the FA Cup defeat at West Bromwich Albion on January 6 being his last action before being ruled out for the season through injury. Derry regained fitness in October, but did not figure in Wise's immediate plans so was sent out on loan to build his fitness levels. The former Sheffield United midfielder's first appearance for Palace came in a 2-1 win over Colchester United on November 24 and he has since gone on to play in every game. The full article contains 732 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Last Updated: 03 January 2008 9:26 AM Page 1 of 1 Bookmark: Del.icio.us Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Comment on this Story In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In RSS Feed of this article's comments Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email Sports Menu Main StoriesFootball Main StoriesLeeds UnitedSheffield UtdSheffield WedBarnsleyBradford CityHull CityHuddersfield TownDoncasterRotherhamHalifax TownYork CityCricket Main StoriesYorkshire CCCLocal League CricketRugby League Main StoriesBradford Bulls Leeds RhinosHull KRHull FC Huddersfield GiantsWakefield Trinity National LeaguesRugby Union Top StoriesLeeds CarnegieWorld CupColumnists Sports ColumnistsEquestrian Top StoriesBramhamMore Sport Motor SportAthleticsRacingGolfBoxingCyclingFishingOther SportsNostalgia What's this?
RE: Is Dennis Wise even a qualified manager? Very good player Derry,thats the reason Palace are doing well Derry and Clint Hill are making them a hard team to beat.
