DARREN Ambrose believes he is starting to fulfil his potential at Crystal Palace after netting his fourth goal in four games on Saturday.

The attacking midfielder scored his 10th of the season in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park, taking him to just one goal shy of his career best for a season.

After the game he praised boss Neil Warnock for inspiring him since his summer move to Palace from Charlton Athletic.

He said: “Anyone’s confidence would be down after getting relegated twice in three years, and last year I didn’t play many games.

“So it was a case of picking the right club and the right manager for me and I think I’ve done that.

“I get along well with him. We do have a good relationship and I think he’s a great manager.

“He stuck his faith in me at the beginning of the season and I’m trying to repay him now.”

Ambrose added: “He makes me laugh a lot of the time when I’m on the pitch.

“He wants me to play with a smile on my face and I’ve been doing that thanks to him.

“I had a lot of potential as a young lad and it didn’t quite happen, so now I’m just trying to get my head down and keep working and trying to fulfil it, and hopefully I can do it.”

Talking about goal-scoring, he said: “Eleven is my best total for a season, and I got that in my first season funnily enough.

“I’ll be really disappointed if I don’t beat that. Getting 20 is the aim.

“I don’t think anyone expected me to get so many goals early on apart from myself.

“I knew that if I’m playing consistently I’m always going to get a chance and nine times out of 10 I’m confident that I’m going to put it away.”

And Ambrose believes confidence is flowing throughout the Palace team at the moment.

He said: “We’re going into every game knowing we can win.

“The only way is up for us.”