Transfer activity was the main topic on the agenda at Chris Powell’s weekly press conference on Thursday afternoon.

Quizzed about reports linking Dale Stephens and Chris Solly with moves away from The Valley, Powell had this to say:

“There is on one of the players and there isn’t any truth on one of the others.

“If I elaborate on that I’d maybe be talking out of turn. We’ve got some good players at this club. It is silly season with regards to transfers. We are going to hear all sorts of mad stories that players are going here and there and there’s no substance to it.

“There has been contact from one club with regards to one of my players. At the moment there’s no movement and, on one hand, I’ll be very happy because I don’t want to lose a good player but equally there’s a chance that a deal may be done. We will just have to wait and see.”

Stories emanating from Villa confirmed that they had enquired about Stephens so it would seem Powell was talking about the midfielder as the possible departure. West Ham’s season long loan signing of Andy Carroll on Thursday evening would seem to make the signing of Solly difficult for the Hammers financially.

Powell continued with his thoughts on the transfer window system:

“It’s a bit of a crazy time. There are pros and cons with regards to the transfer window because really you should have your business done. It is what it is and it’s set in stone for everyone, not just in England, but all over Europe.

“You have to deal with it but you are sitting there thinking that we are preparing for a game and you could actually lose a player or two or three, whoever you are before a game. All of your preparation could go out the window by 11pm the following night.

“So it is a strange scenario, but it’s the same for everyone. We have trained well and the players you mentioned (Stephens and Solly) have been training and we are preparing for a difficult game away up at Nottingham Forest.

“Every player has a price, that is for certain, and everyone knows that. I want to keep all my players, of course I do, but I am not naïve to the fact that we are a Championship club and the Premier League is where everyone wants to be.

“Whether they are playing, coaching, managing, supporting, working – everyone wants to work in a higher league.

“We value our players and have a value for them all. We are not going to let any player leave here and undervalue that player and undercut ourselves. No way. Let’s see where it goes.

“I am mindful of the fact something may change before 11 o’clock on Friday but I’ve got to prepare and assume that all my players will be here and we prepare for Forest on Saturday.

“I’ve got to make sure if I lose a player that I’m covered by bringing another one in, I don’t want us to be short.

“I won’t have much time, that is for certain. Of course I can line players up but it will be quite late and we are travelling as well. That is where [the transfer window] doesn’t help managers and football clubs, but it is what it is. That will be a conversation I will have to have.

“Any football club outside the Premier League has to budget carefully and we are no different. I don’t want us to ever over-spend. We have been down that road as a football club many years back. That won’t happen because I don’t think it should with regards to what we are trying to do in the future.

“If money comes in, of course there will be a discussion over whether there will be some available for me. If there is I will deal with it, if there isn’t then I will deal with it, no problem,” said Powell.

Nigel Reo-Coker – a free agent after invoking a release clause in his contract when Bolton were relegated – is one possible replacement if Stephens moves on.

Gillingham’s Croydon born right-back, Matt Fish, is thought to be the likely replacement for Chris Solly, if the club’s Player Of The Year goes to Upton Park.

There will be frenetic activity around the country as Friday’s 11.00pm deadline draws ever closer and Charlton fans will be hoping Powell manaages to hang on to all his players. They might just get their wish.