Nicola Ventola returned to competitive football for the first time in six months last night, as he notched one in the 8-0 reserve team demolition of Portsmouth.
The Italian striker has made just two substitute appearances for the Eagles since arriving from Inter in the summer, having been plagued by injury since the move.
But the flashes of sheer class he showed during those brief visits to the pitch have led many Palace fans to believe he could supply the extra goals to keep us up.
Ventola played the first 45 minutes of last night’s reserve fixture, getting the first goal with a classy chipped finish over the keeper.
"Everyone will be talking about Nicola after the reserve game and rightly so," Iain Dowie told the official site. "He's come through a very difficult time over the past few months.
"He's worked very hard in the gym with John Harbin and his finish showed what quality he has.
"Maybe if Nicola had been fit he would have been a big bonus for us this season but there may yet be a part for him to play. He still has time to make an impact but at the moment he needs football and lots of it.
"The rest of the lads were really pleased for him and there were a lot of other people happy for him because of the terrible time he's had."