Owen Garvan wants to give Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman a selection headache by returning to training this week.

The Irishman has been out of action with a twisted knee for six weeks but was expected to join in with the first team at the training ground on Tuesday, with the aim of being in contention for the trip to Watford on Saturday.

Garvan has started just two games this season but starred in both as he helped the team to victories over Burnley and Coventry.

He faces a fight to regain his place though with David Wright and Mile Jedinak having formed a solid partnership in the centre of midfield.

With Nathaniel Clyne and Kagisho Dikgacoi also expected to be passed fit as the Eagles enter a busy period of seven games in 22 days, Garvan will not be the only player giving Freedman sleepless nights.

"I think come Saturday everybody will be pretty much fit and that's great," said Garvan.

"Everybody is raring to go and there will be a few selection dilemmas come 3pm on Saturday.

"There's a lot of games coming up in the next four weeks but I cannot wait to get back in and start playing again.

"I don't want to be sitting watching games on Saturdays but I have had one or two little niggles which have kept me out.

"The team picked up a few good results early on and obviously I wanted to keep playing and get some good game time but in football these things happen.

"It went OK when I was playing but you are always trying to do better.

"It is pleasing if you are out there and you get the win, that's the important thing."

The Eagles went into the two-week international break in mid-table on 14 points, and Garvan believes this season's Championship could be one of the tightest ever.

"In the league, every club will say they want to get in the top six, you don't want to say you want a mid-table finish," he added.

"Anyone can beat anyone in this league, at the moment there is nothing between all the teams.

"I don't think there's anyone out there anyone is afraid of.

"Last year, you knew teams that were going to get results, this year no one can really tell.

"No one is stamping their authority on the league."

Mile Jedinak was the only Palace player to enjoy international game time last weekend as he played 22 minutes of Australia’s 5-0 friendly over Malaysia.

Jonathan Williams was left out of the Wales squad while Jonathan Parr’s Norway are not playing until tonight.

Sean Scannell pulled out of the Republic of Ireland U21 team with a hamstring problem but is expected to be fit for Saturday.