Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has admitted that the Eagles have been forced to play catch-up as they prepare for a Premier League return next weekend.

Palace finished their season in late May after earning promotion via the playoffs, three weeks after fellow Premier League new boys Cardiff City and Hull City.

Holloway has revealed that the pitch at Selhurst Park is not yet up to scratch, with kit problems also adding a further headache to the club's pre-season preparations.

He told The Mirror: "It's manic, we're having to change everything to bring our ground up to scratch. It is like a builder's yard.

"Our whole set-up has grown in such a huge dimension. In my department, everything is wrong. The grass isn't right, because we had to do it too late. The kit didn't turn up on time and it wasn't right, so that caused problems.

"It upset the players quite a bit. It's just the norm for the last team that gets promoted, but we're getting there and I'm quietly excited. I've been there, seen it and done it and all I am concerned about is getting the right atmosphere out there."

Palace are in action at Selhurst Park this afternoon against Lazio, ahead of their opening league fixture at home to Tottenham Hotspur on August 18.