Former Darlington striker, Michael Smith, has joined League Two outfit, Accrington Stanley, on loan until the end of season.

The move will give the youngster some valuable game time which he is not getting at The Valley. Still young and raw, the move will give Smith some invaluable experience.

There are reports this morning that Celtic are interested in securing the services of Yann Kermorgant to add to their striking options. Jordan Rhodes, Neil Lennon’s main target, is out of Celtic’s price range but Kermorgant is thought to be valued at £1m. Any interest in the player would be unwelcome and Charlton would almost certainly reject Celtic’s advances.

A player on Charlton’s radar, Brentford defender Karleigh Osborne, who recently handed in a transfer at Griffin Park, is thought to be interesting Reading. The Royals would be willing to pay around £250,000 for Isborne.

Charlton’s youngsters progressed to the last 16 of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory at Welling last night. Their next opponents are Tottenham and the match is likely to be staged at The Valley.

Two goal hero, Joe Pigott, is one of four players who were offered professional contracts earlier in the week. Adebayo Azeez, Tobi Sho-Silva and Semi Ajayi are the others. Callum Harriott, Harry Osborne and skipper Jordan Cousins have already penned deals while Nick Pope and Tosan Popo have extended their loan deals at Welling and Chelmsford respectively.

Understandably, ticket sales for the Sheffield United game are going well with the Blades having already sold nearly 2500 of their allocation. The game could see The Valley’s highest attendance of the season.

Following Saturday’s epic win at Hillsborough, Johnnie Jackson, Danny Hollands and Matt Taylor were all included in the current League One team of the week.

Gary Megson, though magnanimous in defeat, felt that only Chris O’Grady of his outfield players performed to normal standard. A slim looking Nicky Weaver was the star Wednesday player but there was a little more to it than the Owls being 10% or so below their best, as suggested by Megson.

Playing Mike Jones – who only arrived from Bury the day before the match – was maybe a mistake, as was bringing Gary Madine back after a two month injury absence.

Chris Powell got his tactics spot on, Danny Green and Chris Solly combined to nullify the threat of the dangerous Ben Marshall and Bradley Pritchard’s verve was a valuable asset.

Pritchard’s inclusion has allowed Powell to use Danny Hollands in a slightly deeper role, possibly to get the team back to its early season look, in readiness for the return of fit again Dale Stephens.