Exclusive: Midfielder on the brink

Ben Watson is a step closer to leaving Crystal Palace after boss Neil Warnock left the midfielder out of Wednesday's friendly at Bodmin Town after confirming the club has received two fresh enquiries for the player.

The 22-year-old has long been linked with a move to QPR after rejecting a new contract that would have made him the highest paid player at the club.

Iain Dowie's side have already had a £1.25million pound bid rejected by the Selhurst Park, while Birmingham City have also expressed an interest in bringing Watson to St Andrews and Championship new boys Nottingham Forest have also been linked with a move for the midfielder.

Rumours were circulating at the beginning of this week that the Loftus Road club were preparing to table a fresh bid for the Palace academy graduate and the Eagles boss has confirmed that there has been more dialogue with regards to Watson this week with two clubs, fueling speculation that the west-London big spenders have made an improved offer for the midfielder.

Speaking to the Advertiser after the pre-season friendly at Bodmin, Warnock told the Advertiser: "We've had one or two further enquiries which was why I pulled him out tonight - I didn't want to risk him."