New dad Clinton Morrison is hoping for a prolonged run in the Palace starting line-up alongside Andrew Johnson so he can prove he is the man to partner the England striker.

The Republic of Ireland international was bought by Palace boss Iain Dowie to spearhead the Eagles attack with Johnson, but injuries to AJ and Morrison's loss of form meant the duo have not had much of an opportunity to establish a partnership.

But after Saturday's demolition of Norwich, where both players played starring roles, Morrison feels the relationship can flourish if given more time.

Morrison said: "We haven't really played together, I think we've only played three or four times together this season.

"Saturday was a good day as we got a little relationship going. We're trying to work on a lot of things in training and a lot of it came off.

"If we can keep it going then obviously it's going to help us."

The 26-year-old ex-Birmingham striker was still beaming after the birth of his son Shay last week. The new edition to the Morrison family has given the hit man a much needed boost going into the remainder of the campaign and he admitted that he had an extra spring in his step last Saturday.

"My girlfriend went into labour last Sunday and went straight in and had it," said Morrison. "It took four hours. They said it was the easiest labour I'm buzzing, absolutely chuffed.

"She said when I left on Saturday try and score for him' and I managed to do it so I was over the moon.

"Hopefully I'll finish it off by going away and having a good week with Ireland and coming back and getting a good win against Leeds on Saturday."

And if you're wondering if the Palace striker takes part in the uglier side of looking after a baby, here's your answer "I've changed nappies, I've bathed him twice," added the new dad. "He loves me he cries when everybody else does it but he knows his dad's buff."