Alan Pardew summoned his players to Selhurst Park for an additional hour's training on Friday morning in an attempt to solve the "crisis" of Crystal Palace's poor form.

The Eagles host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday, when a seventh straight defeat could cost the manager his job, but Pardew insists he can sense a "determination" to end that run.

He met club chairman Steve Parish earlier this week, when he also said he sought no assurances regarding his position, and has asked for his players' views on the weaknesses they need to improve on to rescue their season.

Asked if he had been told he needs to inspire a win against Saints to keep his job, Pardew said: "No, but I'm a realist. I understand the situation with the Premier League.

"I have to make sure the next result is a positive one for us. I have to get results.

"I've only ever asked for assurances on one occasion, when Joe Kinnear came in (as director of football) at Newcastle. This is a high-profile job. I'm proud of the job. I understand the feelings of our fans.

"For them, I want to get a result on Saturday. I don't look for reassurances going forward.

"The chairman and the board here have been fantastically supportive. This is a crisis, a kind of mini crisis, at the moment given the work they've done. We have to get past this period.

"I sense that determination at the training ground."

It had been reported Pardew was considering recruiting a defensive coach to correct the errors that have led to the concession of 18 goals during those six losses, but the manager said: "We've changed some situations, worked a lot harder on our low block this week, going over everything we can possibly do.

"We have to defend that last third, at set-plays, in a more resolute manner. I've not changed my back four too often in my career, so I don't think I'll be doing that.

"Most of the games I've lost in my career have been by one goal. I have good coaches here, very good coaches, and I'm sure we can get to the bottom of it."

In addition to Southampton's improving form - Pardew's former team have impressed by convincingly defeating both Everton and Arsenal during the past week - the Palace boss is juggling numerous injury problems.

Connor Wickham has undergone surgery this week on an anterior cruciate ligaments injury, Pape Souare has spoken of his fears he may never play again due to injuries sustained in a car crash, and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda could miss the next six weeks after requiring knee surgery.

"Steve Mandanda is going to have an operation on his knee this week," said Pardew, whose squad usually train at their Beckenham training ground, not Selhurst. "He's definitely out for four to six weeks with that injury.

"It's a tidy-up. He has a couple of issues in there, the knee locked up. It's not a difficult operation, but the rehab will take that time.

"The injury (Souare's) had is so unique. We're trying to find a situation where this injury has been in the game. There aren't many. It's an unknown.

"He's honest, we love him; we'll do everything we can do get him back as soon as we can."