Negotiations will begin this week with Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and captain Mark Hudson over new deals at the club.

Both have been key players at Selhurst Park this season, with Morrison the club's leading scorer and Hudson taking over the captain's armband and playing every minute of every game.

However, their contracts run out in the summer and when a furious Warnock cancelled all talks following a poor home display against Ipswich, there were concerns that both might leave, but now it seems Warnock is keen to secure their services for longer.

He said: "We are going to speak to both Morrison and Hudson's representatives this week about their contracts."

It had been thought that talks with Morrison would not begin until the end of the season, with the Irish hitman insisting at the weekend he was happy to wait until then.

He said: "I'm happy. I can't go nowhere anyway so it doesn't matter. We'll wait to the end of the season and see where we are and take it from there.

"Nothing has been said but we just bide our time and see where we go. I know a lot of people go on about it but it doesn't really bother me I just want to play football."

Morrison's winning strike on Saturday against Preston was his 14th of the season, making this the second most prolific of his career behind the 2001/2002 season when he notched 24 goals.

Following two games on the bench, Morrison was recalled to the starting eleven on Saturday and was pleased to take his chance.

He said: "It was pleasing to get one. I haven't scored for five games so obviously it's nice to get back on the goalscoring chart.

"I think the last two games I did have a blip in form but I think that goes for the majority of players. I was a bit disappointed not to be in the eleven but obviously I knew today I would get my chance and it was up to me to take it and I managed to again."

With Palace now just three points off the play-offs, Morrison is hoping the Eagles can mount a charge and get themselves back in the top flight.

He said: "We've got Cardiff and Colchester at home so they are two big games. If we can get maximum points out of them we're right back in it.

"I know we go to West Brom on the Wednesday which will be difficult but if we can grind something out there all we need is three or four wins on the trot and you're back in it.

"I never right it off. No disrespect but I don't want to play in this league. The best league is the Premiership and I think Crystal Palace deserve it so hopefully we can go on another great run."