Great Scott

Iain Dowie has hailed the recruitment of one of the best young goalkeepers in the country in the form of Scott Carson.

The 20-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper joined the Addicks on a season-long loan deal on Monday.

And his capture means that in the space of eight days Charlton have almost doubled the number of players to have ever signed for the club having won the European Cup or Champions League.

Carson was on the bench as AC Milan were beaten on penalties by an Anfield side that featured fellow new Addicks signing Djimi Traore in Istanbul in 2005.

And the duo will now go alongside Jesper Blomqvist, Bob Bolder and Allan Simonsen as Charlton players to have lifted the greatest club honour.

It's big-game experience such as that which attracted Dowie to Carson, and the head coach admitted he has admired the custodian for many years.

"I just felt this was an opportunity for us to get one of the excellent young goalkeepers that we have in this country," explained Iain.

"I've watched him for many years, since my days at Oldham when I used to see him at Leeds, and I've always liked him.

"Scott brings size and he's got great composure. He's been at a great club, has big-game experience, has played in the Champions League and has done very well for England U21s."

Indeed, Dowie will travel to Portman Road on Tuesday night to see both Carson and his new Charlton teammate Darren Ambrose in action for the U21s against Moldova in a European Championship qualifier.

"He's got the right kind of mentality to be a big goalkeeper and it's a fantastic opportunity for ourselves - and also for him," added Dowie.

"He was very keen to come and arrives with a tough battle on his hands because we've already got Stephan Andersen and Thomas Myhre - I've spoken to both of them and that's the decision I've made.

"I just feel it was an area we needed strengthening. I'm very pleased to get Scott, and it's an opportunity for him to get some real Premiership experience under his belt."