Barnsley's Jamal Campbell-Ryce is relishing returning to former club Charlton on Saturday.
Winger hopes for a good reception from home crowd
Barnsley winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce is relishing the prospect of returning to former club Charlton on Saturday.
The pacey Jamaica international started his career with The Addicks but could not hold down a place in the then Premier League outfit.
He is now hoping for a good response from his former club's supporters when he returns to the Valley - but has promised the home side no favours.
He told
skysports.com: "Obviously, it was more difficult to break into the side when I was there, with the club occupying Premier League status under Alan Curbishley and bringing in top quality players.
Difficult
"It was always going to be difficult for a youngster to break through there at the time and I made the decision to leave so that I could play more football and it's worked out quite well."
He added: "Charlton have always got a place in my heart, but at the same time I've got to go back there and understand that there's no such thing as friends in football, so hopefully we'll continue the form we've been showing in recent weeks.
"The fans there have always been great to me and it's a brilliant family club at the Valley, so hopefully I'll get the same sort of response Saturday."
The Tykes have managed to pull away from the foot of the table with two South Yorkshire derby victories and Campbell-Ryce hopes to continue their form into Saturday's clash.
Voodoo
"We had a lot of people saying the club had a voodoo over it when it came to derby games and I think we've put them to bed now with the two victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster.
"They were tough games, but we came out on top and we have to take that into every game this season, not just derby games, and that starts against Charlton on Saturday."
Off-the-field, the Jamaican is pleased to have recently signed a new three-year deal with Barnsley.
He said: "My contract was up at the end of the season and a lot of people felt I was playing for my future whilst that was still the case, so I can just get my head down and continue playing well for the club."
