AUDIO: Chris Martin admits he is in need of a goal. The Canaries striker has notched four league and two cup goals this season, but hasn't been on the scoresheet for the past eight games – a year ago he already had 18 of his season's total of 23 goals on board.

'It's been frustrating for me,' he said. 'I hit the bar again on Saturday (at Sheffield United), but as long as the team's doing well I'm not too fussed.

'Obviously I would have liked to have scored a few more this season, I can't really deny that. I would like to be on a few more, but if I keep getting myself in positions hopefully they will soon come along.

'I think I blame myself a few times. I've missed a couple of sitters – QPR springs to mind – but I have had some decent efforts as well. I've hit the woodwork a few times and people have pulled off some good saves, but if we keep getting the results and I can keep contributing to that, perhaps not in the form of goals but in terms of the build-up play and helping the team out that way, then I'll be happy as long as we stay up there.'

The hope is that one goal opens the door.

'You can go on a run, five in five or whatever,' said the 22-year-old. 'That happens quite often for a striker. I'm just going through one of those lean patches unfortunately at the moment, but anything can turn it around, a little bit of luck and one flies in, a deflection, anything, and hopefully that's just around the corner for me.'

Martin says the step up the league ladder may be a contributory factor.

'I don't know what to put it down to, to be honest,' he said.

'I've still had chances and missed a few – probably not had as many chances as I had last year, which probably is due to the step up in level; defences are going to be tighter, they are going to be better players playing against you which is obviously going to make it more difficult.

'But I still think I could have scored more anyway. Perhaps it's down to that a little bit, but hopefully I can hit a run of form soon and help out the team.'

Martin is expected to make his first senior appearance at Selhurst Park this afternoon, when City try to make it seven wins on the road this season.