Transfer comings and goings round up: Crystal Palace (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Holloway takes a punt on Phillips, and Dobbie turns from a Seagull into an Eagle

11:39am Friday 1st February 2013 in Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway used the January transfer window to call on a couple of old friends to maintain the Eagles push to promotion.

Kevin Phillips and Stephen Dobbie, who Holloway managed at Blackpool, were late loan signatures yesterday (Thursday) with the services of both secured until the end of the season – although Dobbie is expected to sign permanently come July.

Phillips, at 39 years old, will see his competitive days out at Palace after announcing his retirement at the end of the season.

The prolific striker has hit the back of the net for eight clubs in his career prior to the Palace move – scoring 113 goals in 208 appearances at Sunderland in his prime.

Midfielder Dobbie has joined from Championship rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, having scored two goals in 15 games.

Phillips told the club’s website: “Ian Holloway is someone I obviously know well and we got on really well at Blackpool.

“He brought me in at a time when not too many people were looking for someone for my age. I repaid him with 17 goals and helping them to the play-offs so it was a gamble that paid off.

“I think I can still do a job, he knows that and that’s one of the reasons he’s brought me to the football club.”

The duo joins fellow loanees Jacob Butterfield, Jazz Richards and Alex Nimely as Holloway’s January dealings.

Going out the Selhurst Park gates are Ibra Sekajja (on loan to Barnet), Jason Banton (on loan to Plymouth Argyle), David Wright to Colchester United and, of course, Wilfried Zaha’s delayed move to Old Trafford.