Paul McShane believes sooner or later Crystal Palace will break free of their shackles and give a fellow Championship side a thumping.

The Eagles have been struggling in front of goal this season – a fact epitomised by their 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday where they dominated possession but could not find the breakthrough.

They have scored just 27 goals this season and have failed to score more than one goal in 18 league matches since beating Watford 2-0 on October 15.

But on-loan centre-half McShane is confident a big win is just around the corner.

“The lads have been doing really well,” he said.

“Against Middlesbrough, they played very well and maybe we should have put away some of our chances.

“But we are in good form and I think the time will come that we give a team a bit of a hiding and that will come sooner rather than later.

“Hopefully it will come against Doncaster Rovers at Selhurst Park on Saturday.”

McShane has played four times since joining from Hull City last month and last week extended his loan spell until the end of the season.

Although he faces a tough job trying to displace first choice defensive pairing Anthony Gardner and Paddy McCarthy, the 26-year-old will push them all the way as he tries to convince Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni of his worth ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

“I was very pleased to have the loan extended,” he added.

“I am enjoying my time here and I was hoping I would be able to stay until the end of the season. I have to be playing as many games as I can if I am going to get in the squad for the Euros and I just needed to get away from Hull as I wasn’t getting a chance to play in a regular spot.

“Crystal Palace have a very good squad here and Paddy and Anthony have done well.

“But it is good to have a bit of competition and I will be pushing them all way.