Palace go into tonight’s home game against Fulham knowing that three points would take them off the bottom of the table.
After West Brom’s Saturday victory over Bolton, Palace and Norwich are the only winless sides in the division. But the stirring display in the recent 1-1 draw at Villa Park has many people believing the Eagles have turned the corner.
Iain Dowie has made two more signings since that match, snapping up Australian Tony Danze and Greek midfielder Vassilios Lakis. Danze is likely to be one for the future, but Lakis is expected to earn a place on the bench tonight.
"Lakis is very much in contention for Monday, although his fitness is not what he’d like it to be," Dowie told the official club site.
"I would imagine that he’ll be knocking around the fringes of the squad for Fulham."
Fitz Hall is expected to miss out after hobbling off against Villa with a bruised foot. Mark Hudson will step in as cover.
Fulham have several key players missing. Andrew Cole and Papa Bouba Diop are both suspended, and Claus Jensen will not play after picking up a back injury in training.
Probable Palace XI:
Kiraly
Boyce Hudson Popovic Granville
Routledge Hughes Riihilahti Kolkka
Johnson Torghelle