Paddy McCarthy is gutted to be missing Crystal Palace's derby clash with Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow night.

The Irish defender is ruled out of the game through suspension after being sent-off for two yellow cards in last week's heartbreaking Carling Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat at Cardiff City.

But while he will be forced to watch from the stands, McCarthy believes the match is perfectly timed for the Eagles squad to bounce back from the cup disappointment.

"I am gutted from a personal point of view not to be in the game," said the 28-year-old.

"But if you were given the option to hand pick a fixture to follow up last week you would have picked the Brighton game.

"It will be a great atmosphere at Selhurst Park tomorrow night."