Steve Lomas is set to sign a one-year deal at Palace, despite interest from Scottish side Hearts.
The 31-year-old midfielder is a free agent after having his contract at West Ham paid up.
Lomas, a former Northern Ireland international, had recently been training with Hearts and it was believed a deal was almost complete. The Scottish Premier League side were reportedly offering him a two-year contract.
However, Dowie’s links with the player from their Northern Ireland days seem to have swung the deal in Palace’s favour, with a move likely to be announced by the beginning of next week.