Christian Benteke is hoping his goalscoring return to international football can kick-start his Crystal Palace campaign.

The 28-year-old came off the bench to score Belgium’s seventh goal in a 9-0 thrashing of San Marino at the weekend.

The forward’s strike was just his fifth goal in over 24-months in all competitions, a return the former Liverpool man admits isn’t good enough.

His last league goal for Palace came in the Eagles’ 3-2 win at Arsenal at the back end of last season, and having not found the net in seven league outings this term the attacker hopes his goal for the national side can kick-start his campaign.

“I hope I get out of that negative spiral with this,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

“I am taking that goal to Crystal Palace and hope to relaunch my season there.

“I know my qualities and know what I can do, but there was the frustration of not having scored for a long time.”

Benteke has found game time difficult to come by at Selhurst Park this season, with Jordan Ayew cementing a stating berth after impressing in Palace’s positive start to the season.

Having missed out on selection for Belgium’s World Cup campaign last year and not been selected for any European qualifiers until the weekend, Benteke was keen to make the most of the rare opportunity he had for minutes on the pitch.

“I am very happy, both for myself and for the team," he continued.

“It is a relief for me that I was allowed to participate in this match.

“Every time the national coach calls on me, I try to be there.

“I tried to give something back to him again. I was hungry for that, and it helped me in my head.

“It caused even more relief.”

Crystal Palace welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park on Saturday.