BULGARIA overcame the absence of star striker Dimitar Berbatov and reignited their hopes of World Cup qualification with a hard-fought win over Cyprus in Sofia to claim their first victory in Group Eight yesterday.

Republic of Ireland 1 Bulgaria 0

Aiden McGeady handed the Republic of Ireland a major boost when he was declared fit for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

CHAMPIONSHIP strugglers Leicester dumped former manager Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa out of the Carling Cup thanks to a second-half goal from Matt Fryatt.

Leeds have signed midfielder Radostin Kishishev on a month’s loan from Premiership strugglers Charlton.

Leeds have signed midfielder Radostin Kishishev on a month’s loan from Premiership strugglers Charlton.

Charlton manager Alan Pardew will not risk striker Darren Bent in tomorrow’s daunting Barclays Premiership meeting with Manchester United.

Charlton could be unchanged for the visit of champions Chelsea in the Barclays Premiership tomorrow.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will plunge new signing Lauren straight into Premiership action for his first game in a year against relegation-haunted Charlton today, the ex-Arsenal man replacing suspended captain Gary O’Neil in midfield.

Charlton midfielder Andy Reid will miss tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth after aggravating a hamstring problem.

Defender Ben Thatcher is set to make his Charlton debut against Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premiership tomorrow.

Charlton will be without suspended full-back Osei Sankofa and leading scorer Darren Bent (knee) for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest.

Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has recovered from his hamstring injury in time for today’s Premiership clash with Charlton.

Charlton’s new manager Alan Pardew will give a late fitness test to midfielder Amdy Faye ahead of Wednesday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Fulham.

Charlton have several injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership trip to Middlesbrough.

Charlton will welcome back on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson for tomorrow’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Wycombe after he was ineligible for the Barclays Premiership defeat to Liverpool.

Charlton will be without goalkeeper Scott Carson against Liverpool tomorrow as part of his loan deal from the Reds.

Djimi Traore will miss Charlton’s trip to Tottenham after pulling his hamstring in the first half of Tuesday’s win over Blackburn.

MOROCCAN defender Talal El Karkouri crashed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Charlton celebrated 14 years back at The Valley by climbing off the foot of the Barclays Premiership and giving new manager Les Reed his first win.

Charlton look set to again be without striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink when they host Everton tomorrow because of a thigh problem.

Charlton will give winger Jerome Thomas faces a fitness test on his bruised hip ahead of the Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester City at The Valley.

ASSISTANT boss Les Reed insists Charlton’s board will give Iain Dowie the time he needs to lead the club out of trouble.

Charlton have been badly hit by injuries as they prepare to face Portsmouth.

All the teams for this afternoon's Premiership action.

Bolton’s new signing Nicolas Anelka will watch from the stands as his new team-mates take on winless Charlton at The Valley today.

Premiership results

Premiership half-time scores

Premiership team sheets

Charlton 0 Blackburn 2

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Faye, Gardner, Nakata, Campo, Speed, Davies, Borgetti, Vaz Te.

Charlton 2 Portsmouth 1

The followng are the teams for today's Premiership matches with a kick-off time of 3pm.

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley has no fresh injury worries ahead of Monday’s clash with Portsmouth at The Valley.

Charlton welcomed back striker Marcus Bent into the starting line-up for their visit to Fulham.

Charlton welcome back striker Marcus Bent to the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Fulham.

Middlesbrough 4 Charlton 2

England striker Darren Bent returns for Charlton’s FA Cup quarter-final replay against Middlesbrough tomorrow after being rested for the goalless draw with Everton.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley took no chances ahead of next week’s FA Cup quarter-final replay, making several changes for the Barclays Premiership clash against Everton at The Valley.

Charlton will be without Luke Young for tomorrow’s home Barclays Premiership match against Everton.

West Ham 0 Charlton 0

Shaun Bartlett returns to the Charlton squad for Sunday’s Premiership match at London rivals West Ham.

IF Martin O’Neill is to become the next manager of Newcastle, his first task will be to sort out the poor defending that continues to blight the club.

Top scorer Darren Bent is Charlton’s main concern ahead of the visit of Newcastle on Sunday.

Charlton 0 Middlesbrough 0