Press Association Sport has learned that QPR, who are managed by former Palace boss Neil Warnock, have had the 19-year-old winger watched this season.

And Zaha's all-action performance at Old Trafford, where goals from Darren Ambrose and Glenn Murray dumped out Manchester United 2-1 and sent the Eagles into the semi-finals, means the npower Championship club are braced for more interest in January.

Liverpool and Fulham have also been linked with the England Under-19 international.

PORTSMOUTH'S players have been assured they will be paid this month.

The south-coast club's future is once again under threat after owners Convers Sports Initiatives went into administration last week.

Joint-administrator Andrew Andronikou admits they urgently need a new investor, but manager Michael Appleton has met with chief executive David Lampitt and been assured short-term funding is in place.

"The meeting with David went fine, not a problem," Appleton told the News.

"From a football point of view it is business as usual. Everyone is aware that obviously CSI are in administration.

"I have been told from a funding point of view we are okay in the short-term. The lads were paid for last month and we've been assured we are going to be paid this month."

Ken Dulieu has stood down as COVENTRY chairman in order to work more closely with manager Andy Thorn as head of football operations at the Ricoh Arena.

Dulieu, formerly of Southampton, only took over in late March after Ray Ranson resigned from his position but he has now made a sideways move in the latest off-field twist at the club.

Dulieu insists the first stages of a long-term turnaround plan have helped stop financially-stricken City "haemorrhaging cash", adding on the club's official website, www.ccfc.com: "Right now my time and effort is best spent working with Andy Thorn and his team."

BARNET have written to the Football League to ask permission to start next season at their Underhill ground - even if they do not finish it there.

The npower League Two club are at loggerheads with Barnet Council, who were unable to assure they will be licensed to use the ground for the whole of the 2012/13 campaign.

Barnet therefore applied to the League for permission to stay for least half of the season while the club consider their options.

Bees director Graham Slyper told the club website, www.barnetfc.com: "The situation is serious and not of our doing.

"The stark reality is that as a consequence of unresolved ground differences with the council, Barnet FC face the prospect of a reduced footprint next season and an end to their 100-plus years' residence of their spiritual home."