Parker: I love Valley too much to leave

Scott Parker has reassured Charlton fans that he has no wish to leave the club. The England midfielder's magnificent performances this season have led to speculation that he may move on to a bigger stage, with Chelsea and Manchester United the most likely to bid for his services.

Parker, rejected a move to Tottenham last summer to sign a five-year contract at Charlton and believes he can fulfil his ambitions at The Valley. He said: "We all know Charlton are not going to win the Premiership or Champions League - but as long as we're improving every year I'll be happy. I'm ambitious and wouldn't have signed a five-year contract if I didn't think I could fulfil my ambitions here. Charlton is the best place for me to play my football. I love coming to training, I love the lads and the fans."

He made his England debut in last month's 3-2 defeat by Denmark at Old Trafford, and recognition by Sven-Goran Eriksson has convinced him there is no need to move. He also feels grateful to Alan Curbishley, who gave him his chance as a 16-year-old trainee and has stuck by him since. Parker said: "Charlton gave me my chance and I owe them for that. As a young boy, you need that chance."

The industrious midfielder is a stereotypical Charlton player. He can mix it with the best of them but also possesses a rarer quality - the ability to pick out the perfect pass or beat a goalkeeper from 30 yards.

The 23-year-old has blossomed this season and acknowledges Charlton will need all their quality to beat Newcastle tomorrow. He said: "Teams have started coming to The Valley to play for a point, which is a bit of a problem.

"A couple of years ago, they'd have come expecting an easy victory but now they're a bit more scared of us. It's a big Christmas for Charlton, with games against Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham, so it's important that we start well.

"If we can get something from these three games we'll be in a great position for the new year. We want to push on and really do something this season, rather than fading away."

Curbishley adds Mark Fish, recovered from a groin injury, to his squad but is likely to start with the team that drew at Middlesbrough last week.