CHARLTON and West Ham have reached an accord ahead of their relegation showdown at The Valley on Saturday, February 24.

Addicks boss Alan Pardew and West Ham's Alan Curbishley have agreed not to become involved in the "media circus" that threatens to engulf the fixture, having told their players not to become distracted and stay focused on the match.

Pardew said: "Alan Curbishley and myself have spoken about the game and accept that the media profile is going to be extremely high.

"But we're just going to try and make sure we give the players the best platform for them to play, rather then get caught up in all the politics and media circus that will no doubt accompany the fixture."

Pardew faces the club that dismissed him in December while Curbishley will make a first return to The Valley as a manager since leaving last May after 15 years.

Tickets for the game remain on sale at The Valley ticket office on 0208 333 4000.

* Keep up to date with all the news from The Valley every week in the Bexley Extra.