Crystal Palace have won the race to sign Norwich City striker Chris Martin on loan.

Since starting three of the Canaries' opening four Premier League games, the 23-year-old Academy product has found opportunities limited.

And that caught the attention of Palace boss Dougie Freedman, who has signed the former England Under-19 international to help the Eagles' burgeoning Championship play-off push.

Palace have failed to score in their last three outings, leading to their move – with Martin joining until January 2.

A Carling Cup quarter-final with Manchester United sandwiches Championship games with Millwall and Derby, while Martin will be available for Sunday's trip to Leicester.

'He has got experience in the division and he can add to our already decent squad,' said Freedman. 'We have got a lot of games coming up and, last month, with that many games, we ran out of steam a little bit toward the end so I felt we needed to get one or two more in.

'I don't use the word competition – his addition will make the squad stronger. The players are not in it for competition, they are all working together and this just makes it healthier.'

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert added: 'Chris needs to get some games, and that's why I decided it was the right thing to send him out on loan. Palace have made a good start under Dougie this season, and if he does play it will be at a good competitive level, which is important.'

Martin reportedly turned down a move to Millwall in the summer as part of the deal that brought Steve Morison in the opposite direction, while the striker last scored for City in the 2-1 win at Derby back in December 2010 before a hamstring injury affected his second half of the season.

Martin has made four reserve appearances for the Canaries this term but has been behind Aaron Wilbraham and Simeon Jackson in Paul Lambert's recent pecking order, having not appeared on the City bench since a five-minute cameo in the 2-0 defeat at Manchester United.

The aim will be for Martin to get some games – and hopefully goals – under his belt before returning to Carrow Road.

With second tier clubs stepping up their winter recruitment, the volume of loans from the top flight looks set to increase over the coming weeks.

So it remains to be seen whether any of Martin's City team-mates are also candidates for a temporary spell away from Carrow Road.

Canaries veteran Adam Drury, Simon Lappin and leading scorer for the reserves Wilbraham are all yet to make a Premier League appearance.