Watson won't reconsider deal decision

Ben Watson will not reconsider his decision to reject a new Selhurst Park contract, the Advertiser can reveal.

There has been major question marks over the future of the 22-year-old during the summer months after it emerged QPR boss Iain Dowie was keen on bringing the Eagles academy graduate to Loftus Road.

Watson, whose current deal runs out at the end of this season, has already snubbed the one contract offer with the midfielder understood to have his heart set on a move to west London.

Boss Neil Warnock told the Advertiser earlier this year that the contract would have made Watson the highest paid player at the club and with that in mind, the Selhurst Park manager decided not to use the midfielder during the opening few weeks of the current campaign.

But with the departure of Tom Soares to Stoke City, Watson has started Palace's previous two Championship clashes and even scored the opener in the 2-0 victory over Swansea City.

Warnock thinks Watson has been badly advised by his representatives over his future but recalling the red-headed midfielder for his side's last two outings has raised hopes that the south Londoner could still sign a long term loan deal at SE25.

But speaking to the Advertiser, Warnock has revealed that he has spoken to Watson in a bid to get him to change his mind - but the Eagles boss has confirmed that the midfielder still will not put pen to paper on a new deal.

He said: "I've spoken to Ben about whether he will reconsider and he won't. He has told me nothing has changed."

For the full story see tomorrow's Advertiser.