THE Eagles’ forgotten man Calvin Andrew got himself back into scoring form by heading home the winner in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough last night.

Andrew has been short of opportunities this season with only three substitute appearances so far in the league.

But now he is hoping to have done enough to force his way back into Dougie Freedman’s plans after booking Palace’s place in the next round.

Andrew said: “I felt like it was my opportunity and I had to go out and shine and do something to keep the manager’s eye on me so I can stake a claim to get into the first-team.

“It was probably one of the harder opportunities I had tonight.

“I saw the keeper coming towards me and I decided to loop it over him so yeah, it was a good goal.

“Even though we are doing very well I think I’ve got the confidence this year and my game has come together a little bit better.

“I’ve stayed fit and there’s a spot for me.

“At the end of the day it’s the manager’s decision.

“He will pick the best team to win the game and he knows what I’m capable of, so we shall see.”

But the 24-year-old admits that his lack of goals - just three in his three years in SE25 - is currently stifling any chance of getting regular first team football.

He added: “Obviously the goals have held me back, I know that.

“As a striker you are always going to get judged on your goals whether you perform well or not.

“If you are not scoring the manager’s always got a reason to say ‘someone else is scoring the goals’.”

But Andrew hasn’t been without his share of bad luck and upheaval since his arrival from Luton in the summer of 2008, with long-term injuries and numerous loan spells slowing his progress.

He explained: “If I’m honest it has been hard since I came here.

“When I first signed under Neil Warnock, who gave me the opportunity to come here, I started quite well.

"But then I suffered a career threatening injury which saw me sidelined for eight or nine months after doing my second cruciate ligaments and it has been quite slow since then.”

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