Derry can hotfoot it into the top flight

Shaun Derry celebrated his loan deal from Leeds United being turned into a permanent move by breakdancing in the Crystal Palace dressing room. The 31-year-old now hopes to be dancing with delight on the Wembley turf later this month should Palace complete their transformation into a Premier League team.

Derry's impromptu routine took place in January, two months after his return to Selhurst Park coincided with the start of a run of nine games without defeat.

The much-travelled Derry had previously made 99 appearances for the Eagles - including more than 40 games in their Championship promotion season of 2004 - before moving to Elland Road in February 2005.

The midfielder says it was Warnock's presence which persuaded him to return to the capital and play a major role in the club's march to the Championship play-offs.

Derry said: "It was Neil Warnock who I wanted to play for, because I knew what he was all about from when we were together at Sheffield United. It just happened he was at Palace, and I knew all about them as well. But I never thought that we would end the season in fifth place.

"It's all down to one man. That's the gaffer. He put so much enthusiasm and confidence into the boys, and it's paying rewards now. He's a typical player's manager. The gaffer plays just one card, he's entirely for us. We respect that."

Derry believes Warnock's experience, and his willingness to gamble on youth, has been vital in Palace's rise from second from bottom in November to a play-off semi-final which begins with a first leg at home to Bristol City on Saturday.

The midfielder said: "The gaffer doesn't get carried away with victories, he doesn't get carried away with defeats. He just keeps us on a level peg, but he comes to life 30 minutes or so before the kick-off which is when a manager earns his money."

Some of Warnock's selections have raised eyebrows, particularly when he has thrown teenagers John Bostock, Victor Moses and Sean Scannell into the rough and tumble of Championship football. But Derry believes that mixing youth with the kind of experience offered by himself, Clinton Morrison, Mark Hudson, Carl Fletcher and James Scowcroft has paid dividends.

He said: "The spine of the team is experience which I think is needed in this division, especially. But the gaffer's got the blend right. He can see ability in those boys, and their dreams are coming true."

Derry is confident his side will be at Wembley for the play-off final on 24 May. They have already gained a win and a draw over Bristol and Derry added:

"I'm sure they'll be asking themselves 'do we really want to meet Crystal Palace in the play-offs?'"