CHARLTON Defender Fortune: SCARED OF SHEARER? NO!

Fortune has formed an impressive partnership with Chris Perry at the centre of the Addicks’ defence so far this season to help the club challenge for a top six place.

Shearer is currently the league's top scorer having bagged 15 goals in as many games this season, but Fortune insists that he DOES NOT fear the former England skipper

He said: “I had some good battles against him when I was a youngster, but hopefully now I have a got a lot more experience under my belt.

“It will be another big test for me against Shearer because he has been one of the top British players for a number of years now.

“Every time you play against him, you know you are in for a hard game. He always causes teams problems and has scored goals for fun over the last 10 years.”

Just two seasons ago, Fortune got on the wrong side of the travelling Magpies' fans when a tussle with Shearer earned the Newcastle skipper a red card — a decision which was later overturned.

Fortune then endured a hostile reception as a late substitute in the return fixture at St James’ Park.

But he added: “Shearer is an exceptional player with a massive presence on the pitch. You have to be aware of what he is doing all the time and keep focused.

“He is one of the best strikers in the English game alongside Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy and one of the hardest ones to mark.”

Boss Alan Curbishley added: “Shearer’s a handful for anyone but Jon and Chris will have to deal with it.

“He and Newcastle are benefiting by him not playing for England. He’s done fantastically well in the last couple of seasons and looks really sharp in this one.

“When Jon made his comeback against Leicester a few weeks ago, it looked like he’d been away.

“He was pushed in that game and found it very hard against Southampton. He knows those two games weren’t good enough though he was back on form for the 0-0 at Middlesbrough on Saturday.”