Ha'way the lads are a nightmare in London

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley will warn his team of the embarrassment they face if they lose to Newcastle at The Valley tomorrow.

The Geordies are on an appalling run of 28 games without a win in London stretching back to November 1997.

When they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in their last victory in the capital, Tony Blair was six months into his first term as Prime Minister and the Teletubbies were heading for No 1 in the pop charts.

But that dire run could be about to end if Charlton's most recent Premiership game is anything to go by, when they became the first team to lose at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium last week.

Defender Steve Brown said: "I am sure Alan Curbishley will try to use their record to our advantage in the team talk and we just pray we put in a good performance.

"We have certainly discussed their record and you would think they have to win in London again at some stage.

"After Southampton we do not want to break Newcastle's duck as well. We will do everything we can to stop that happening."

Brown is enjoying an unexpected run of games and goals after Richard Rufus's knee injury gave him a chance to claim a first-team place. The 29-year-old has played 14 times already and scored three goals.

With striker Jason Euell likely to be absent again tomorrow because of a family bereavement, he will be Charlton's joint top-scorer on duty.

Brown said: "I have only scored 11 times in the last 10 years including the three this season and to get that many in one campaign is almost unheard of.

"But I would prefer to clear one off the line and get a clean sheet tomorrow than score at the other end."

Curbishley hopes to have defender Mark Fish back for the game after a knee injury but Andy Todd is doubtful because of a dead leg.

After last season's impressive return to the top flight, Charlton have been disappointed with the way this campaign has gone.

And if Newcastle are looking for a sign that they may finally end their dreadful run, the only team that Charlton have beaten at home this season are struggling Leicester.

Charlton v Newcastle
3pm, tomorrow, The Valley