Riihilahti keen to stay at Palace

Wales Jason Koumas (R) jumps over Finland's Aki Riihilahti, who is desperate to stay at Crystal Palace and help the newly-promoted side during their first season back in the English Premiership.

Out-of-contract Finland midfielder Aki Riihilahti is desperate to stay at Crystal Palace and help the newly-promoted side during their first season back in the English Premiership.

Palace got themselves into the top flight courtesy of a 1-0 playoff win against London rivals West Ham at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday and Riihilahti, who arrived at Selhurst Park in 2001, wants nothing more than to stay with the Eagles.

"I would like to stay and the manager (Iain Dowie) has made it clear to me over the last few months that he wants me to stay,'' Riihilahti, 27, said Monday. "This is a great club and there are great times ahead of it.

"I hope things go as they should and am looking forward to playing for this club for a few more years."

Riihilahti said Dowie had been the key to Palace's success, the former West Ham and Northern Ireland striker transforming the club's fortunes since his arrival from Oldham six months ago.

When Dowie arrived Palace were on the brink of the First Division relegation zone and Riihilahti said: "He is the key ticket. I am out of contract now and would not even consider staying if he didn't.

"He is the one who has not just made us better players, but also better human beings."