Jensen: We won't fall away this time

Claus Jensen believes Charlton will prove this season that they have finally found some staying power.

Alan Curbishley's side have threatened to finish around the European places for the past two seasons but have fallen away.

They look more than capable of claiming a top-half place again this term and some fans have even started talking about Champions League qualification.

Charlton's 1-0 defeat by Leeds at The Valley last Saturday was their first setback in eight games and after climbing to fifth place the challenge is to stay there.

A trip to Southampton on Sunday is their next obstacle but midfielder Jensen believes his team can overcome that and then demonstrate how far the club have come in the past few years.

He said: "It is really important we get a position that shows the massive progress we have made.

"In the four years I've been here we've been moving forward all the time, but we haven't been able to show that in the league.

"This is definitely the strongest squad we have had since I came from Bolton and we have played some good football this season.

"Maybe we did not expect to be so high in the table at this stage, but we have been more consistent than in other seasons and I really don't think we will fall away this time.

"Curbishley has brought in a lot of good players over the last few years, but most of us have been playing together for a while and I think that will show."

One of the most recent recruits is Paolo Di Canio, who shares the responsibility for individual creativity with Jensen. But because of injuries to the Italian striker, the Danish midfielder has had to shoulder most of the burden.

Jensen added: "Paolo's creativity is a bit different and he is a great addition for the strikers. I hope he can stay clear of injuries."

Di Canio (groin), Kevin Lisbie (back) and Jonatan Johansson (thigh) all face fitness tests Southampton hope to have Kevin Phillips (tonsillitis) and Graeme Le Saux (hamstring) available.

Southampton are to stage a second one-minute silence in honour of former club stalwart Ted Bates. Their attempt to pay tribute to the recently deceased Bates before Tuesday's Carling Cup game was wrecked by a section of Portsmouth fans.