Charlton strikers Paul Hayes and Leon Clarke have been told they do not figure in Chris Powell’s plans and are free to leave.

Hayes started up front last season in tandem with Bradley Wright-Phillips but found his chances restricted after the arrival of Yann Kermorgant. The Frenchman went on to become a cult hero while Hayes enjoyed a successful loan spell at Wycombe.

Hayes has been unlucky with his timing, it has been a case of the wrong place at the wrong time for him. Paolo Di Canio is keen to pair Hayes with another ex Addick, Paul Benson, for Swindon’s League One comeback campaign.

A more likely destination though is Uwe Rossler’s Brentford, a move Hayes is believed to favour, though his current salary could be a sticking point.

Leon Clarke has already attracted interest from Oldham and Cheltenham but terms could not be agreed. Clarke only arrived at The Valley in January in a swap deal that took Benson to the County Ground. The likeable Benson played a big part in Swindon’s promotion, whereas Clarke failed to impress either the Charlton fans or his new colleagues.

His body language never looked right and Clarke often looked unhappy with his lot.

John Sullivan has alrady been told he will be allowed to go out on loan, though if a club was interested in taking the keeper permanently it is unlikely the Addicks would stand in his way.

Sullivan kept a clean sheet in his only pre-season outing – the second half of the game in Lepe against Sporting Clube de Portugal. He is desperately in need of some game time and is at the stage of his career when he needs to be playing regularly.

If Sullivan departs it seems likely that Powell will recruit experienced cover for Ben Hamer. Neither Nick Pope nor Dillon Phillips yet ready for the Championship.