CRAIG Davies is poised to make his Wanderers bow at Crystal Palace after being quickly brought up to speed by Dougie Freedman.

The £300,000 front man has had a crash course at Euxton in the last seven days aimed at sharpening up his fitness following his arrival from Barnsley.

And the Wales international could get his first start at Selhurst Park tomorrow as Freedman looks to take the momentum from Tuesday night’s FA Cup win into the league campaign.

Wanderers have fitness worries over two of their most experienced players heading to South East London, however, with Keith Andrews and Sam Ricketts both doubtful for the game.

“Keith trained this morning but he’s still feeling a problem in his Achilles,” the manager said at yesterday’s press conference at Euxton.

“Sam has been struggling a little bit with a tight groin but aside from that, we’re okay from the cup game.”

Freedman revealed that David Wheater, Matt Mills and Mark Davies were “getting close” to a return to the first-team set-up, but must make a decision on whether to name another two of his long-term absentees in his team to face Palace.

“Josh Vela played 70 minutes and he was obviously a little bit stiff – can we give the kid two games in a week? It’s a question mark but I’ll have to make that call,” he said.

“Stuart Holden came through fine after coming on as a substitute the other night. He is desperate to get involved so I have got to make decisions for his best care, not for Bolton right now. I have got to judge when I put him back in.”

Freedman’s former club have lost just once at home all season and currently sit fourth in the table, 14 points ahead of Wanderers.

And the Scot reckons Ian Holloway’s side could stick around at the top, provided they do good business this month.

“I think Palace have got the ingredients and the team to go up, provided they get lucky with injuries and they make the right signings in January,” he said. “They are one of four play-off teams I believe could easily go up.”