Nick Carle is determined to hold on to his starting spot at Crystal Palace after six months in the wilderness at Selhurst Park.

The Australian international is back in favour with manager Neil Warnock and has started the last five games after falling down the pecking order earlier in the season, beginning just one match before last month's trip to Newcastle United.

"It's really good to be back in the team," he said.

"It was a very hard six months for me not playing.

"I am someone who absolutely loves playing football so it was very difficult for me but I have kept my head down and worked as hard as I could and I am happy I have got a few games on the bounce.

"It's my shirt to lose so I want to make sure I keep doing everything I can to keep myself in the team.

"I don't want to have gone through all that hard work to lose my jersey now.

"You have to be mentally really strong when you are out of the team.

"I made myself keep working as hard as I could and kept doing extra sessions and making sure I was fit if I did get a chance."

The lack of action almost resulted in Carle leaving the club last month when he was close to securing a switch Chinese side Shaanxi Chanba, but the talks broke down and he stayed in SE25.

"I was very close to flying out there but a few things ended up happening which meant I couldn't," he said.

"It was close but never a definite thing and the most important thing for me is playing games.

"I am absolutely rapped I am back in the team and to be back here at Palace is that much better because the group of lads is amazing and the character has been brilliant.

"I just want to make sure I play from here until the end of the season."