Trio Staying At Charlton

Charlton boss Alan Pardew has revealed that the club have been boosted by the news that three key players have committed to the club.

Weeks of speculation have fuelled rumours that players such as Jerome Thomas, Andy Reid and Souleymane Diawara will all be leaving SE7 within the next few days.

Pardew though has confirmed three players will not be going anywhere and he also explained Diawarra will not be joining Bordeaux unless they cough up a big enough fee.

Speaking to the official site after Saturday`s pre-season defeat to Braga Pardew said: 'There's good news that Jerome has committed himself for the year, Andy Reid has too - and Jon Fortune has told me today that he wants to stay.

'Jerome knows that he needs a good year. He understands me as a manager and I understand him as a player, which is important. We had a chat this week and I'm very pleased he wants to stay."

Jon Fortune has decided to stay and fight for a place after the club had told him he could join Stoke after a fee was agreed. Jon however has decided to remain in SE7.

One player that could still depart is Souleymane Diawara. Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux have made a bid for the central defender but the club have rejected the offer. They could however return with an improved offer, but then and only then may Diawara leave.

The defender didn't feature from the bench in Saturday's friendly clash, but Pardew says he is not on his way out of the club.

Pardew explained: 'I didn't use Souley today because we've had a bid from Bordeaux which is way short of our valuation. But, by the same token, I'm trying to make sure that he doesn't lose focus.

'He's having some difficult decisions to make and we'll see how that progresses but at the moment he's certainly not going anywhere."


On the talk of transfers Pardew is hoping to see some developments next week with new faces joining the club.

Signing another striker before the start of the season remains the priority according to the SE7 boss. Andy Cole looks the possible addition if Pardew can tempt him to drop out of The Premiership. A midfielder could also be drafted in after the boss revealed that there is an injury to Matt Holland, which will see him on the sidelines for up to six weeks.

'I want one more striker for sure," said Pardew. 'Luke Varney's ankle injury has been a blow to us because he was a big-money signing but hopefully that'll turn out to be a silver lining when he's back in two to three week's time.

'We've also made a couple of enquiries regarding a central midfield player but I haven't got anything concrete at the moment.

'I would like to get a striker in and I'd be more patient with the midfield player."

The gaffer added: 'We've lost Matty for six weeks. It looks like he will have to have a cartilage operation so that's a blow to us."

Alan Pardew was talking to the club's official website www.cafc.co.uk


Who would you like to See Pardew sign as the clubs next striker?