STRIKER Francis Jeffers will be hoping to put Saturday's disappointment behind him and win a place in Charlton's starting line-up for tonight's Barclays Premier League home game against Aston Villa.

Manager Alan Curbishley admitted the former Everton, Arsenal and England international had been upset not to be in the side for Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Portsmouth. He eventually made his home debut as a 76th minute substitute for the injured Shaun Bartlett and immediately impressed.

Curbishley admitted holding back Jeffers and explained: "He had a difficult time at Arsenal and then he went back on loan to Everton, which didn't work out. He's only been with us for a week and a half and I've been very conscious of that.

"I want him to have done enough training and be on first name terms with his new team-mates. When he starts a match for us I want him to be fully fit.

"Everything we are doing for him on the training ground is being done so that he can lift off immediately. Yes, he wants to play every week but I want him to be top notch before I start him in a game."

Curbishley must also decide whether or not to include skipper Matt Holland, who was ever present last season. He sustained an ankle injury early in the 4-1 defeat at Bolton and missed the win over Portsmouth. The likelihood is that he will sit out tonight's match in the hope of being fully fit for Saturday's match at Manchester City.

Tonight's match against Villa kicks off at 8pm.