Johnson desperate to fly Eagles' nest

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan claims he is ready to report Andrew Johnson’s agent to the Football Association after the striker revealed his desire to leave Selhurst Park.

The 24-year-old believes he would be harming his chances of a place in England’s 2006 World Cup squad if he stays with Palace, now back in the Coca-Cola Championship despite Johnson’s 21 goals in the top-flight.

Eagles chief Jordan is unhappy with Johnson’s agent Leon Angel and told the Sunday Mirror: “I have tired of this saga and I intend to report the agent to the football authorities.

“I have made it abundantly clear Andrew is under contract to Palace and he is not available for sale.

“He is an integral part of our plans to make a swift return to top-flight football and I have no intention of being dictated to.”

Johnson told the News of the World he felt he had no option to move on to further his international career.

“I must leave Crystal Palace. I want to play for England in the World Cup finals in Germany next summer. That’s it in a nutshell,” he said.

Jordan reacted: “I understand Andy’s concerns but we will not sell him. If Andy doesn’t like it he can throw his toys out of the pram, but will that really help his England chances? I don’t think so.”

The last of Johnson’s goals for Palace last season – a penalty at Charlton on a dramatic final day of the Premiership – looked to have preserved Palace’s top-flight status.

But an 83rd-minute Jon Fortune goal earned Charlton a 2-2 draw and Palace were relegated.

Johnson said: “I can say, hand on heart, that if we had stayed up at Palace then this would not have been an issue. I would be staying.

“I believe my chances of going to Germany would suffer significantly if I’m down playing in the championship.

“Mr Eriksson hasn’t told me to leave Palace. But it’s clearly a matter of common sense. I certainly could never forgive myself if I let the chance slip. If I stayed at Palace and missed out on my dream I would be tortured by it forever.”