Marouane Chamakh is set to be announced as a permanent signing by Crystal Palace tonight.

Manager Ian Holloway confirmed after today’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Lazio at Selhurst Park that Chamakh – who watched from the stands – was signing a contract for longer than a year, if Palace stay in the Premier League.

“Marouane Chamakh’s just managed to sign,” he said.

“It’s longer than a one-year deal providing we stay up.

“I can actually look at what I’ve definitely got now and work around him and build the team around him.

“He’s a fantastic player who can drift and float and he’s good in the air, so I’ve got to try and build a squad around that now.

“It’s about him getting going again and I normally do alright with people whose careers are faltering a bit. I love them up and work with them, and, hopefully, I can get him back to what he played like when he first went to Arsenal.

“There was nothing wrong with him then when he scored eight in nine. But I wouldn’t fancy being Robin van Persie’s understudy, it can’t have been fun.”

There was some concern for Holloway after the game though with Jerome Thomas leaving the ground wearing a protective boot having been substituted in the first half. Mile Jedinak also had swelling around his eye after a challenge in the second half that forced him from the field.