Neil Warnock moved to bolster his midfield with the signing of the Bristol City and Australia international, Nick Carle. The highly effective attacking midfielder is no stranger to Palace fans after he played an integral part in the 4-2 aggregate defeat to City in the Play-Off semi-finals last season.

Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1981 Carle began his football career as a 15 year old at Sydney Olympic in the NSL (National Soccer League) where he was picked up by French side Troyes.

A short spell with the Marconi Stallions followed but in 2005, at the age of 24, Carle joined Australia's Newcastle Jets for the first season of the newly formed A-League. After two years with the Jets, frustrated by the A-League's short season during his push for an international place, he left for Turkish side Genclerbirligi.

However, family issues cut short his stay in Turkey and in early January 2008, he signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Championship side Bristol City. He was an instrumental player in the Robins' promotion push and even set up the winner at Selhurst Park when Gary Johnson's men ran out 2-1 winners.

At international level, Carle flirted with the first team for much of his early career and even represented the Socceroos at under17, under 20 and under 23 level. But it was not until 18th November 2007, just short of his 26th birthday, that he was given his full debut when he started a friendly match against Nigeria at Craven Cottage.