Manchester City v Charlton

CHARLTON go to Manchester City on Sunday boosted by Wednesday’s defeat of European Champions Liverpool and looking to avenge a 5-2 mauling at The Valley in December.

But manager Alan Curbishley warned his players they will have to display the same mental tenacity shown against Liverpool to extract something at the expense of Stuart Pearce’s side.

“That performance against Liverpool took a lot out of us,” Curbishley conceded. “But if we are to get anything against City on Sunday we will have to have the right mental defensive attitude.

"We had it against Liverpool but not at Tottenham on Sunday. Why was it different? It was different at White Hart Lane because we took gambles and were caught on the wrong side of Defoe and Jenas when they got through to score.

“So we spoke a lot about it on Monday and Tuesday and when we played Liverpool we went out there and defended for our lives because of the way Liverpool started and the way they controlled the first half.”

Charlton will be looking to improve on a dreadful record in the North West where they have yet to win this season following heavy defeats at Blackburn (4-1), Wigan (3-1) and Everton (3-1).

Midfielder Matt Holland remains doubtful with the thigh injury that has kept him out of the last two games. The kick off is at 4pm.