Charlton Athletic v Sheffield United

TO PREPARE his side for Saturday's crucial home game against fellow Premiership strugglers Sheffield United, Charlton boss Alan Pardew packed his squad off to Penshurst for a spot of clay pigeon shooting.

It was an effort to purge the blues after the deep disappointment of Sunday's last-minute defeat at Everton.

Pardew said: "All the lads got dressed up in proper shooting gear and plus fours. Everyone enjoyed it.

"We had a bit of banter with the gear and a few took the bait. Sometimes it's easier to get disappointment out of your system by doing something completely new."

Striker Marcus Bent (hamstring) is the only doubt for the sell-out against United at The Valley after defender Hermann Hreidarsson and Jerome Thomas reported fit.

Pardew added: "We’ve approached the relegation battle as if it’s a chance to win a trophy. Since I’ve been here, the results have felt like a promotion push. Over the last eight games, we’ve shown European form.

"We’ve come a long way from being a long way back, drawn in three or four teams, who were 10 or 12 points away, and got it down to three points."

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