CORT: MY LAST BID TO SAVE CAREER; CHAMPIONSHIP In association with COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.

Byline: By PETER LAYTON

NORWICH 1

CHARLTON 0

NORWICH striker Carl Cort says the long battle to save his career can't be compared to a roller coaster ride - as it has been all downs and no ups!

Giant ex-Wimbledon and Newcastle hitman Cort, 31, was all set to hang up his boots after leaving Spanish side Marbella in the summer following two years plagued by knee problems.

But Norwich boss Glenn Roeder, his old gaffer at Newcastle, offered him one last chance and Cort is now making the most of a "pay as you play" deal until the end of the season, with the carrot of a new contract if he proves his fitness.

Cort, in his second appearance for the Canaries as a sub, said: 'It was good to get a few more minutes under my belt. I'm happy and I'm getting closer to the sharpness and fitness I need.

"This time last year I was ready to call it a day. I was bouncing from club to club and doing myself no favours. My left knee was so bad I wasn't doing myself justice.

"But I decided to give it one last chance. Surgeon Andy Williams at the Lister Hospital had a look inside my knee, cleaned it up and did what he thought had to be done. He said I was OK to have one last pop at saving my career.

"I have worked extremely hard these past three or four months and the way I feel now I could go on for a few years yet."

Roeder must be licking his lips at the prospect of partnering Cort up front with lethal loanee Leroy Iita, who settled this vital relegation six-pointer with a trademark finish on the hour, taking his tally to seven in 14 games.

Charlton have now gone 14 games without a win. Caretaker manager Phil Parkinson banned his players from talking to the media afterwards.

CAPTION(S):

FIGHTER Cort has battled knee problems