Curtis Fleming is to delay an operation on his injured knee in a bid to return in time to help Crystal Palace make the play-offs.

The Eagles skipper has missed three months of the season with a knee injury and suffered a knock to the same knee while making his comeback against Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Fleming will miss Sunday's FA Cup tie with Leeds with the problem - but hopes to play again next month and will wait until the end of the season before having surgery.

Palace boss Trevor Francis said: "We're not anticipating him being back until next month.

"It's bad enough that if the season ended now he would need an operation.

"But we're trying to avoid that because if he had surgery now his season would be over. He will be treated and rehabilitated in an effort to try and get him back next month."