Steffen Iversen believes Crystal Palace can escape relegation this season following his goalscoring debut.

The Eagles have been stuck in the drop zone for three months but yesterday's 1-0 victory over Preston, their first win since November, brought them within a point of safety.

Iversen, who only got clearance to play three hours before kick-off following his free transfer from Norwegian league winners Rosenborg, headed in Kieron Cadogan's cross to seal the points and is confident the result will lead to a rise up the table.

"I have seen what Crystal Palace can do and they have a lot of skilful young players and have more than enough to stay up in this league," said the 34-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur striker.

"But I haven’t seen that much of the other teams.

"It was great to get off and running with a goal.

"I have been only been here for a few days but in that short time I have got to know all the boys and it is a good start for us.

"It is different to Rosenborg as I was winning trophies there but it is a big challenge.

"It is not that new for me though as I was with Wolves for a year when they first went up to the Premiership so I know what it is about."

Iversen, who has signed a sixth-month contract with a year extension depending on appearances, was George Burley's last act as Palace manager before his sacking on Saturday, but Iversen insists the Scots departure has not affected him.

"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster over the last couple of days but I have been through these things before," he said.

"You just have to be professional about it and do your best in training and then impress whoever else is going to be the manager for the team."

Iversen has been training by himself since Rosenborg's season finished on December 16 with a 2-0 defeat at Aris in the Europa League but was desperate for a move to London to be with his wife Anna and their two kids.

"I have got an English wife and two kids who live here and one has just started school," he said.

"It is a bit hard to be in Norway when you only have a three or four week holiday.

"My family had been going back and forward to Norway which was a bit hard after he started school and it wasn’t very good for me so that’s why I really wanted to come back to London."