FOOTBALL: Trev's teen is Rout of this world!

TREVOR FRANCIS looks to have unearthed a future Palace star after giving a first-team start to teenager Wayne Routledge.

The 17-year-old gave a jaw-dropping display, scoring one goal and playing a role in two others.

Routledge had little time for nerves, having put his side ahead in less than a minute. As you do.

From then on the Sidcup-born rookie, who made his debut from the bench last season when just 16, played with the kind of carefree effervesence that only youth - and a goal - can bring.

His chance yesterday may only have come because of a glut of Palace injuries.

But Francis now hopes to withdraw him from the England Under-19 squad due to take on Hungary in a friendly so that he can play instead against Derby on Tuesday.

Francis, who was also 16 when he made his first appearance for Birmingham City, said: "He's a natural. You can't teach it. He's got mental strength, he's a sensible boy, and he will listen.

"He is very brave for one so small and, while he catches the eye in possession, he also does a very good defensive job for us.

"He's clever and has also got tremendous pace. He scored a wonderful goal and can play in all positions."

Routledge played on the right wing yesterday and gave Wolves' left- back Lee Naylor a torrid time.

The youngster's goal owed much to dozy defending from Wolves, who let a low ball from Danny Granville go through them, allowing Routledge to run in and slam it past Michael Oakes.

Wolves equalised after half an hour when Ivar Ingimarsson slipped into the Palace area. His shot was blocked by Alex Kolinko but the ball ballooned into the air and landed in the net.

Wolves' defence was caught napping again on 35 minutes when Dougie Freedman timed his run well to head in Danny Butterfield's cross.

In the second half, Routledge hassled Naylor into a poor back- pass that allowed Andy Johnson to pounce, only to be brought down by Oakes for a penalty that Freedman did not waste.

Wolves crept back into the game when a fierce Paul Ince shot was spilled by Kolinko, allowing Nathan Blake to score.

But in less than a minute, Routledge once more skinned the defence on the right and supplied the cross for Steve Thomson to volley home.MAN OF THE MATCH WAYNE ROUTLEDGE

Phenomenal performance from the 17-year-old sensation

CRYSTAL PALACE: Kolinko 5, Fleming 6, Granville 7, Butterfield 6, Popovic 7, Mullins 7, Johnson 7, Freedman 8, Thomson 6, ROUTLEDGE 9, Powell 6.

WOLVES: Oakes 5, Naylor 6, Rae 5 (Miller 6), Lescott 6, Butler 5, Newton 7 (Proudlock 6), Irwin 6, Blake 6, Ingimarsson 6, Ince 7, Sturridge 6 (Cooper 6)

MANAGER RATINGS: Francis 8; Jones 6.

REFEREE: L Cable 7.

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