New loan signing Dekel Keinan will push Paddy McCarthy and Anthony Gardner for their places at Crystal Palace.

The Israeli international will join the Eagles on loan for six weeks this morning having only played one minute of Championship football for parent club Cardiff City this season.

He could be involved in the south London derby with Millwall on Saturday but he has already played in the Carling Cup during this campaign so will be ineligible for the quarter-final with Manchester United next Wednesday.

With McCarthy and Gardner the only recognised senior centre-halves at the club, manager Dougie Freedman expects Keinan to push them for a starting spot.

"We are very short in that position," he said.

"We only have two centre-halves and Dekel is going to come in and be part of the squad and compete for places with all the games we have coming up.

"I am sure he will be important in those games."

Keinan's addition is likely to be last at Palace before the emergency loan window closes on Thursday, although Freedman is not ruling out some departures.

"There will be no more in," he said.

"I am not sure about outs - if anyone comes in for a player we have to be open to it."