Iain Dowie has admitted that he is "so glad" to have Clinton Morrison in his side after the Crystal Palace striker netted his sixth goal for the club since his return to Selhurst Park in August.

Morrison has been a key figure in the Eagles recent run of good performances and he had more than filled the void left by Andrew Johnson who has only made one brief substitute appearance since injuring his knee against Reading in September.

Dowie was quick to praise Morrison after Saturday's game and feels the striker played a perfect match.

Dowie said: "Clinton was outstanding in everything he did his running was great, he worked hard, and the finish for the goal was top class.

"He's a real asset and I'm so glad that we have him here."

The importance of Morrison continuing his goal scoring hot streak has been emphasised in recent days after Dowie confirmed Johnson looks set to be ruled out for another two weeks following a reaction to his recent injury.

The England striker played just 11 minutes of the Eagles 4-1 win over Coventry two weeks ago after coming on as a second half substitute, but has not played since after complaining of a recurrence of the problem in his knee.

The Eagles other returning striker Jon Macken has also suffered a injury on his return, after miss four recent Crystal Palace games.

Macken limped off in the Eagles defeat against Cardiff last month after pulling up while chasing a through-ball and only lasted 38 minutes of his first start since his spell on the sidelines against Burnley on Saturday with a back injury..

Palace winger Jobi McAnuff was an injury doubt before last night's Tuesday game with Liverpool after he was forced off on Saturday with an ankle injury.

Danny Butterfield was also struggling to be fit after he picked up a groin injury in the same game.

Both players, however, are likely to be involved in this Saturday's visit to Crewe.