Charlton boss Alan Curbishley today plugged a hole in his defence by snapping up former Southampton centre-back Tahar El-Khalej on a four-month contract.
The Moroccan international, 34, was released by the Saints on Friday and has joined the Addicks until the end of the season.
El-Khalej, best known for the wild lunge at Kieron Dyer which left the Newcastle winger's World Cup dream hanging by a thread, has gone straight into the Charlton squad for tomorrow night's Barclaycard Premiership clash with West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Curbishley delved into the transfer market because defender Gary Rowett is still not fit and fellow backline players Mark Fish and Paul Konchesky face bans.
Rowett is struggling with a knee injury, Fish was sent off for a professional foul in Sunday's 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Fulham and Konchesky received his fifth booking of the season in that game.
Curbishley, who criticised his side's defending at Loftus Road, said today: "Looking at the injury situation at the club at the moment, plus the looming suspensions, I felt it was necessary to bring someone in.
"Tahar has been in the country for some years, has acclimatised to the Premiership and fits the bill.
"I'm delighted to have signed him and feel quite fortunate to have got someone with his Premiership experience at such short notice."
El-Khalej, who joined Southampton from Benfica for £350,000 two years ago, had been frozen out under Gordon Strachan and made the last of his 65 appearances for the club back in September.
PA