Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has backed his young side to be an even tougher proposition in the Championship next season after their narrow defeat in the play-off semi-final.

Palace were the division's most improved team this season, climbing from second-bottom to fifth following Warnock's arrival in October, only to lose out 4-2 on aggregate to Bristol City in the play-offs.

Key to their spectacular rise were youngsters such as Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and Lee Hills and Warnock is confident they will still be at Selhurst Park to spearhead next term's promotion push.

"Very much so, they want to stay, they've got to play football. Where are they going to play anywhere else?" he said.

"There are no other clubs in the Championship that play as many we do - seven or eight - because managers are frightened to play kids but at my age it doesn't matter, does it?

"The Palace fans used to hate me but they are quite happy I'm manager now, and we'll be stronger next year."