Despite putting American international defender Gregg Berhalter on the transfer list last week, Palace manager Trevor Francis insists he does not want to trim the squad before the end of the season.

Since he joined Palace in December Francis has made four signings at a cost of £3.5million, without off-loading any first team players.

But with mounting injury and disciplinary problems Francis wants to keep the current squad together until May at least.

He told the Guardian: "We have got twelve games, and we probably need another seven victories to secure a play-off position.

"So whilst I fully understand that you have to balance the books and you can't continue to allow the wage bill to escalate, I think if there is any pruning to be done it can wait for another eight weeks."

Berhalter went to see Francis last week after his manager elected to bring in Shaun Murphy on loan to cover for the injured Tony Popovic and Kit Symons.

Francis said: "It was joint decision to put him on the list really, where he came to me because he was disappointed that he was not playing and he was concerned about his World Cup position."

Signed from American club Englewood in February 2001, Berhalter has made just 13 appearances for the Eagles this season, including eight as sub.

Francis added: "Playing against Italy gave him a big boost this week, and he's been called up for more two games, so he'll be away for the Barnsley and Grimsby games at least.

"I wouldn't welcome an offer at this minute, because I'm very short of defenders."

Fellow American Jovan Kirovski's

absence from the squad on Saturday was not a sign of his impending departure. Francis said: "He picked up a calf strain against Italy and missed the Wimbledon game, but he's now recovered and I'm hoping he'll be available for the weekend."

And Palace hope that Kirovski, whohas not been selected for the US games, will commit himself to the club beyond the summer when his contract expires.

Francis said: "The situation hasn't changed, the chairman and his agent have to get together again. When I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago he said that he wanted to sign so I'm hoping that nothing has changed."

Francis was quick to scotch speculation linking Clinton Morrison with a £5million move to either Everton or Sunderland.

He said: "There's no truth in the stories and I've received no bids."

He also denied that Palace are looking to sign Fulham's Danish midfielder Bjarne Goldbaek, 33, and Shaun Derry of Portsmouth.