Charlton Keen On Zheng Return

Charlton have expressed an interest in bringing back Chinese star Zheng Zhi on a season long loan from Shandong Luneng.

Zheng or ZZ as the fans know him spent the latter stages of last season on loan at The Valley as the Addicks battled to keep their Premiership status.

That battle was lost and 26-year-old Zheng made it known that he did not want to stay at Charlton to play in the English second tier and a permanent move for the midfielder was scrapped.

In a twist of fate it was not actually current Addicks boss Alan Pardew who signed Zheng but the attack minded player forced his way into the starting line up at The Valley and made quite an impression.

Supporters of Charlton initially bemoaned the loaning of Zheng declaring that the club was looking at the move in terms of marketing and profitability due to the players high status in his homeland and the Asian football scene.

Birmingham City and Newcastle United are two other clubs who have made inquires about Zheng but Brum boss Steve Bruce has hinted that is not he that wants the player but his Asian Chairman.

ZZ's agent Gao Li told the Chinese media: 'Charlton are keen admirers of Zheng's abilities.'

'The Club are interested in having him back for another season.'