New-boy 'shocked' at switch

Crystal Palace new-boy Paddy McCarthy has described his move from Charlton as a "bolt out of the blue".

The £500,000 signing said he was expecting to play a part in the Addicks' push for Premier League football next season but is delighted to have penned a three-year deal under the leadership of Neil Warnock at Selhurst Park.

"It was a bolt out of the blue - as far as I was concerned I was coming back to Charlton in pre-season to hopefully get promoted next year," McCarthy told the South London Press.

"But I got a call from my agent a couple of weeks ago saying there was an offer being put forward from Crystal Palace.

"Generally if a club accepts a bid it tells its own story and when I spoke to Neil Warnock he just came across as a man I think I'll have a great relationship with. He will maybe appreciate me as a player a little bit more.

"He's said he knows full well what he's getting from me and what I'll bring to Crystal Palace. That's filled me full of confidence."