Johnny Ertl is desperate to sign a new contact with Crystal Palace - but knows his future could depend on the result of Sunday’s game at Sheffield Wednesday.

LIke Sean Derry, Clint Hill, Danny Butterfield and Matt Lawrence, Ertl has been unable to discuss his position with the club still in the administrators.

Defeat at Hillsborough would see Palace drop into League One, but a draw or victory would send Wednesday down instead.

“My main focus is to stay here if there is a possibility because it is a great club and I really feel comfortable,” said the Austrian defender.

“London is a good place for me with music all over the place and also I am not far from Austria to see my family.

“I just want to stay in this league and then after May 2 we can start thinking about these things.”

Palace have had a traumatic campaign but not event the experience of going into administration could unsettle Ertl, who had been through it all before with Sturm Graz in 2006.

“Yes we got paid late two or three times but to be honest I’m used to it,” he said.

“In Austria my first club went into administration and it was a nightmare compared to here in England.

“This administration we are going through now is relatively easy-going in my opinion in comparison to my first administration.

“I didn’t see some money and stuff like that and was really, really poor.

“Here, while there was just a delay, the club mentioned it to players and that’s alright, so everyone could sort themselves out their mortgage.”

But Ertl admits the 10-point deduction was hard to swallow and required the team to change their mentality.

“All of a sudden we got off the plane at Newcastle and all the lads receive text messages from the missus, agencies or whatever saying ‘The club is in administration and you are 21st’," he added.

“It becomes a psychological thing because when your pushing for promotion your going onto the pitch with a different feeling.

“We had some great games and played some good football at Selhurst Park, but then we conceded at crucial moments all because we are down there in the relegation zone.

“It would have been different if we were pushing for promotion but that’s football, so it is now just about your nerves and your ability to keep calm.

“But I am convinced we are staying up because of the characters in our team and the strong bond we have.

"Loads of things have happened in this season.

"We have sold players and lost a manager and everything but it has been a great season, very enjoyable.

"So many things have been thrown at us but all of the lads have really enjoyed the season so far.”