ROB Elliot admitted he was "shocked" on getting a recall to Premiership side Charlton Athletic last Friday.

The on-loan goalkeeper had just worked his way back into the Accrington Stanley team and, after a week in Spain with the Reds, was looking ahead to playing a big part in helping them move away from the relegation zone.

But then came the call at 2pm last Friday and Elliot is now back in London fighting for a starting berth in the Addicks second string.

"It was the last thing I expected," said the 20-year-old. "Thomas Myhre got injured and when I got the phone call to come back I was shocked.

"I knew a scout had watched me play against Wycombe and I knew I had done okay so he must have given me a good report and they must have had faith in me to bring me back to challenge for a reserve place. It was a total surprise though."

Elliot has returned to the Valley to lock horns with another ex-Stanley keeper Darren Randolph who is also battling for the goalie gloves.

"Darren has been at Charlton training and I think he will now move up to be on the bench in the Premiership," said Elliot.

"It is a bit different for me as I feel like I am on trial as I have got a new manager, Alan Pardew, to impress and I just want to get my head down, work hard and try to get as high as I can there.

"It is a huge incentive knowing I could go from being on the bench at a League Two side to being on the bench in the Premiership and I just want to work really hard and see what happens."

Elliot admitted it was bad timing after he had just forced his way back into the Stanley side after playing second fiddle to Ian Dunbavin.

"I suffered with my ankle in pre season and then missed the first 10 games. Bavs was doing well so I couldn't complain. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get more of a chance as I felt I played well at Macclesfield but then I let in four goals against Bristol Rovers when it was just a bad day all round.

"But I came back in for Wrexham and would like to think I played my part in our first victory in 11 league games. We have done okay since then - apart from Boston - and I was just getting back into it."

While this season hasn't been the best for the shot-stopper, last season's title winning campaign will prove difficult to beat for him. He came to Accrington as a teenager in November and produced a series of stunning displays, some 'How did he do that?' saves and was the King of Penalty stops - two of these were at Woking on the day the Reds made their historic return to the Football League.

"I loved last season," said Elliot. "I think I made six penalty saves in a row. I guess it was a bit more than luck but I just always felt so confident - the whole team did. Personally I couldn't have written the script any better with those two saves at Woking. It will be a season I will never forget and my medal will always be with me.

"The thing about last season was it was a total team effort. We all stuck together and it was great for me to just play a part in making history by helping Accrington back into the Football League."

And the goalie believes the current crop of Stanley players can save the day and keep the Reds in League Two.

"There is enough talent in the squad and they will definitely stay up," he said.

"Toddy (Andy Todd) has done really well this season. He plays a high tempo game, he is direct and quick and likes to run with the ball and plays in good crosses.

"And Mullers (Paul Mullin), he is great. He has stepped up at every level with the club and has consistently come up with the goods. He must be one of the top five strikers in the league and must give defenders headaches with his ability in the air but he also had a lot of skill. He is learning himself this season and is getting better and better."

Elliot continued: "I also learned a lot with Andy Dibble - he was brilliant and I missed him when he left the club.

"And Bavs (Ian Dunbavin) has done well. He has always been great with me - as have Browny (David Brown), Cav everyone, I cannot single anyone out. They are a great bunch of lads who I have thoroughly enjoyed working with.

"But one player I am going to get back is Andy Mangan. When I was injured he used to ring me up at around 11 or 12 at night and sing love songs down the phone to me - I won't miss that and I owe him!"

And he had a special word for the Stanley faithful.

"The fans have been brilliant. They really took to me - I don't know why - and I have never experienced anything like it.

"Even when I made the mistake against Notts County, they didn't get on my back. They could have been annoyed - I was so annoyed at myself - but they kept encouraging me and no one said anything. I felt at my lowest then but they kept supporting me and I really appreciated that.

"I have been on the message board and seen all the messages wishing me luck. I would like to thank them and I will always have a special place for Accrington Stanley."