Top goalscorer Shefki Kuqi has rated last season with Crystal Palace as his best so far in English football, as he looks to tie up a new deal.

The former Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich and Blackburn man began the campaign on the periphery of the Eagles set-up after being banished by boss Neil Warnock for making obscene gestures at his own fans, following his withdrawal in a clash against Wolves in February 2008.

But having won back his place and netting 10 goals this term, Kuqi told the South London Press: "Someone asked me the other day how I rated this season and I said to them that this is my best one in England.

"I scored 22 goals at Ipswich and I got eight Premier League goals in 15 starts for Blackburn, but in my opinion this tops those because of the situation I was in earlier in the season.

"My name to a lot of people was dead - I wasn't even being mentioned by anybody. But I came back to not only be the top scorer but I did really well for the team.

"I got told I would never pull on the Crystal Palace shirt again and was never going to kick a ball for the club - but now I'm in the situation where I could sign a new contract here."