CHARLTON manager Alan Pardew has acclaimed the club's youth policy ahead of tonight's FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Swindon at The Valley.

"Charlton's youth scheme is nothing to do with me," said Pardew. "When I arrived at the club I marvelled at the system which has been running for some 16 years alongside a community scheme which is second to none.

"So the Academy is extremely strong and contains a number of fantastic youngsters. The FA Youth Cup offers a strong challenge for us which the lads will rise to.

"So we're well set in that department because if we don't make it back to the Premier League within the next two seasons, we'll be looking to those youngsters."

Maidstone-born midfielder Scott Wagstaff is likely to skipper tonight's side while Medway youngster and former Rochester Math School pupil Chris Solly plays at right-back.

The winners will be at home to Sunderland. Tonight's tie kicks off at 7pm.