Pardew fears McCarthy is back to haunt him

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Pardew was within a whisker of signing Benni McCarthy two years ago while manager at West Ham.

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On form: McCarthy has impressed for Rovers this season

Having proved his class since moving to Ewood Park from Porto in a £2.5million deal last summer, Pardew admitted he was never in any doubt the South African international could make the grade in the Premiership.

"McCarthy was sitting at Upton Park with about 15 minutes to go to the transfer deadline and we all expected him to sign," recalled the Charlton chief.

"We were all agreed with Benni and his agent, then it was Porto who had an about-turn and decided it was not the right time for Benni to go."

West Ham's loss turned out to be Blackburn's gain, with McCarthy finding the net 21 times this season.

Pardew admitted the player could come back to haunt him as Charlton head into their must-win encounter.

He said: "Benni has proved he could play in the top four sides in this country quite comfortably — that is how highly I rate him. We're hoping he will have an off-day!

"I am not surprised he has done so well and has been one of the big successes of the Premiership. He has been a fantastic ambassador for South Africa and for himself."

Charlton's on-loan keeper Scott Carson has been told he could be better off leaving Liverpool for good. The advice came from former Anfield colleague Stephen Warnock, who left Merseyside in search of regular first-team football at Blackburn in January.

Warnock said: "At the end of your career, if you say you played 700 games at Blackburn or 100 at Liverpool, it's totally different.

"If someone turns around in 10 years and asks if you remember such a player at Liverpool, nobody would."

Charlton will have the vocal backing of 6,000 travelling fans.