Crystal Palace star Christan Benteke is ready to fight for his starting spot should the club bring in another striker.

The Belgium international scored after a cross from winger Andros Townsend in the Eagles’ 1-1 draw with West Ham at the London Stadium.

With the January transfer window’s deadline looming, the former Liveprool target man is open to seeing another forward come in at Selhurst Park.

He said: “Yeah I think it’s fair, it’s fair from them [the club]. I’m ready to fight for my place, and hopefully if they can bring another quality player it would be more than welcome.

Asked whether he misses another strike partner, he said: “Yeah I was lonely, but last season was the same. I managed to score and we managed to be where we were, so it’s not really an excuse.”

Benteke has only scored twice in the Premier League this season, with his only other goal coming in Palace’s 3-0 victory away to Leicester City on December 16 last year.

Roy Hodgson’s men have only lost twice in their last 13 matches as they sit in mid-table and now prepare to meet Newcastle United at the weekend in a tight affair between the middle of the pack and the bottom three.

Benteke was asked about the importance of getting three points against this Sunday’s opponents as they host Rafa Benitez’s side.

He said: “We knew because the manager said during the meeting today that it was going to be an important week for us because we are going to play against the teams we can manage to get points from.

“Sunday is going to be another massive game for us.”