January 23 2012

Chris Martin

Crystal Palace's on loan forward Chris Martin says he is happy to play anywhere as long as it helps the team.

Martin, who is on loan from Norwich until the end of the month, has been asked to play in a deeper role behind the main striker.

And the 23-year-old says he has now settled in the position after scoring in last week's 1-1 draw with Leeds for his second Palace goal.

"I think with every game I play I'm getting more comfortable in the position," he said. "I've played there before but it is not something I have done on too many occasions in my career and the more I play there the more I'm going to learn.

"It is about fitting into the ethos of the club. It is a lot different to what I have been used to at Norwich but of course every manager's philosophy is quite different.

"Playing time helps but hopefully I'm settling in more. I enjoy playing in both positions. I'd naturally consider myself a bit of both but I can play in a deeper role and I enjoy mixing it a bit.

"Both positions offer different challenges but you can score in both roles and it is important that I make the most my time on the pitch."

Martin's impressive form has pleased manager Dougie Freedman and the Palace boss wants him to stay at the club longer.

"Chris has bought into the way we think and he’s now bought into the way we play," said Freedman.

"Against Leeds that was his best performance, he scored a fantastic goal, had fantastic work rate and really showed he wants to be part of it.

"There are a few different reasons why we’ve got him for another month and after that month I think it is only fair that I speak to Chris Martin before I reveal what I want to do.

“But with the performances he’s shown, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that I would try to keep him here."

And Martin added: "I'm still very much looking at it as a loan deal as first and foremost I'm here to help Palace out. I want to help this club as high up the league as possible, get some game time under my belt, and then go back to Norwich where I am contracted and hopefully push on from there.

"I've not really thought about anything more than that but all I want to do is do the best while I'm here and then we will go from there."