CRYSTAL Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose reckons the club's current crop of youngsters are as good as any in the Championship.

Middlesbrough travel to Selhurst Park this afternoon with Tony Mowbray expected to name a side packed with Academy products.

They will take on a Palace line-up similarly reliant on homegrown talent, and after the Eagles' youngsters dumped Premier League Wigan out of the Carling Cup this week, Ambrose insists the club's future is bright.

"The young lads that have come into the squad have been like a breath of fresh air," said the former Newcastle United midfielder. "You have the likes of Sean Scannell, Jonny Williams and Wilfried Zaha. The future is bright for Crystal Palace and I am glad to be part of it.

"I never thought I would be considered one of the older players, but it has come to it now and I'm still only 27 myself. I'm relishing the responsibility and this could be an exciting season for the club."

Veteran striker Steffen Iversen is available for today's game after shaking off a hamstring injury, but Nathaniel Clyne (foot) and Kagisho Dikgacoi (hamstring) remain sidelined.