Crystal Palace v Doncaster Rovers: In-form Hayter hopes to continue goal glut

The former Bournemouth striker has scored in Rovers' last five games – equalling his previous best record when at Dean Court.

A goal today would also equal the feat set by team-mate Billy Sharp last season but Hayter still has a long way to go to match the Rovers' club record.

Local lad Clarrie Jordan scored in 10 consecutive games during the 1946/47 season as Rovers won promotion from Division Three North.

Hayter said: "I have scored five in a row before but it would be great to beat that record this weekend. It's hard to say why the goals are going in just now – maybe it is because I have been settled in the team and I have just been lucky enough to put away the chances when they have come my way. We have scored a lot of goals this season– myself, Billy, and James Coppinger have all got six and a few others have chipped in too."

Victory today could lift Rovers as high as fourth in the Championship table and Hayter believes there is enough quality in the club's squad to maintain a genuine push for promotion.

"I don't see any reason why we can't stay in the promotion race this season," he said. "We have got a good squad and if we keep performing like we did against Swansea last weekend we will get more positive results than negative."

Reflecting on the disappointment of conceding a last-gasp equaliser against Swansea, Hayter said: "It was two points dropped but you have to take the positives from the performance. We are unbeaten in four now and know that, when we get the ball, we can cause teams problems. Nothing is won at this stage of the season but we want to be nearer to the top of the league than the bottom and pick up as many points over Christmas as we can."

Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll believes that Palace, under George Burley, are one of the most unpredictable teams in the division.

"Under Neil (Warnock), I thought they were strong, physical and predictable. Now they're probably more flexible but unpredictable," he said.