Downes: Pay up for Powell

Brentford manager Wally Downes today warned clubs interested in defender Darren Powell that he will not be sold cheaply.

He would like to hold on to the 26-year-old but knows that with the club short of cash and Crystal Palace taking an interest he may be forced to let Powell go.

Downes said: "I have seen some valuations of about £400,000 put about which are nowhere near the mark.

"Powell is one of the best defenders in Division Two and would probably be one of the best in the First Division. He is an exceptional player and I would love to keep him at the club."

Downes takes his team to Millwall tomorrow for a preseason friendly which will be the last match at The Den home fans can get into without joining the club's membership scheme.

The rule change is one of several measures chairman Theo Paphitis has taken to try to avoid a repeat of the hooligan problems his club had against Birmingham in the First Division play-offs last season.