Connor Wickham feels he is the man to fill the striking void at Crystal Palace but admitted he will need time to get back to his best.

Wickham has been out for nearly 18 months with injury but has come off the bench in Palace’s last two outings against Cardiff City and Chelsea.

The 25-year-old blazed a glorious chance over the bar late on in the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea but feels he’s closing in on a return to form.

“I didn’t realise it was such a good chance,” Wickham admitted.

“Hopefully the goals will come with more games that I get and I’ll hit the back of the net sooner rather than later.”

READ: What we learned from Palace's Chelsea defeat

Palace have been strongly linked with strikers in January, with Dominic Solanke thought to be undergoing a medical ahead of a loan deal.

Wickham however feels he can be the striker Palace needs and is eager to show Roy Hodgson his worth.

“What I bring to the side is a physical presence and more of a focal point.

“Wilf (Zaha) and Andros (Townsend) are lightning quick, but I’m a different threat to them.

“I’m feeling good, I’m back in the view of the manager on the main stage.

“You find out a lot about player in games, more so than training, I’ve got sharpness to gain but I’m feeling good.

“I feel like I’m ready, but it’s down to the manager.”

READ: Hodgson names the striker he wants at Palace this January

Hodgson however was left frustrated following the Chelsea result and upon being asked if Wickham was close to a start, he quipped:

“After today’s performance, not very close.”

Palace travel to Wolves this evening.