Kiely hopes charity doesn't only begin at home

Dean Kiely may have been one of the most consistent Premiership performers over the last few seasons but he has conceded eight goals in two away games this season - 4-1 at Bolton and 4-0 at Manchester City - and will be anticipating a return to his more accustomed clean sheet when Southampton visit The Valley tonight.

Should it happen he will be more than happy to pay for the privilege. In an innovative scheme, the Charlton goalkeeper has pledged to donate £50 every time he keeps a clean sheet to Demelza House, a children's hospice in Kent.

Under the terms of "Deano's Demelza Challenge" Charlton defenders have also pledged £50 for every clean sheet, while midfielders and strikers will pay up for every goal scored. Even the management will be hit in the pocket every time Charlton win. Needless to say the club are hoping for an expensive season.

Kiely said: "I went to a Christmas party at Demelza House with Scott Parker, found it all very moving and was happy to help. I've been putting money to one side for every clean sheet I've kept over the last few years - last year I made £600 for the Forum in Greenwich. Demelza is a good cause and will also help me focus on my football.

"I devote most of my time to football but after that you look around and see what you can do. We're very privileged to be professional footballers but aren't bullet-proof and this isn't going to go on forever. I'm in the prime of my professional career, things are going really well and if you can help in anyway, you should.

"I've played in just over 600 professional games and kept 201 clean sheets so should be able to raise a tidy sum." Despite their poor away form, Charlton have beaten Aston Villa and Portsmouth at home and Kiely hopes to add Southampton to the list of scalps.

"We let ourselves down badly against Manchester City and have to bounce back," he said. "We've already shown it can be done and are on more of an even keel than results suggest. We've got the last defeat out of our system and are ready for Southampton."

Shaun Bartlett and Matt Holland remain out with ankle injuries and Charlton should be unchanged.

Kiely added: "If we beat Southampton that could be our best start ever. It will be a hard game but if we can win again it'll be three home wins on the spin, a big improvement on last season. If the other results go for us we could be back near the top again."

• Supporters can make donations online at www.demelzahouse.org or ring 01795 845 288.