Facts and fiction? A lot of Charlton related stuff going on.

Yesterday I think the general feeling was of delight after reading the announcement of Christian Dailly's new one-year deal. Rumours of Danny Wilson at Swindon stealing a march on us quickly went away as last season's player of the year agreed to stay at The Valley, I hope as club captain.

'So that's Doherty, Dailly, Lera and young Mambo (No.5) as centre-halves. Free agent Liam Chilvers, ex of Preston is still considering a number of offers including one from Charlton and then there was the surprising news that Jon Fortune may also sign a contract.

Fortune is still only 29 and played 170-odd games for us, many in the top flight. I don't know what his injury or fitness status is but witnesses say he looked pretty slim and dapper at Welling on Tuesday night.

Fortune is 'proper-Charlton' but may just be down at Sparrows Lane keeping fit and getting his name back out there, but wouldn't a fit Jon Fortune would be a tremendous acquisition. The question does then emerges though to whether we need five senior centre-backs?

Lera can do a job on the left too, which with Grant Basey up in Aberdeen on trial, might be necessary as Kelly Youga sounds a long way off from full fitness. Johnnie Jackson will probably start as first choice.

Back to Basey, I've always liked him as a player and always felt that he would make a fine centre-back or a holding midfielder. He lacks pace, but has a good football brain and a sweet left foot. But if Charlton are to offer him just a year and no guarantee of a first team football, a two-year deal north of the border, with an opportunity of European football looks hard to resist. Refer Darren Randolph.

Addicks with nothing to do (like me) have been furiously clicking on cafc.co.uk to see if we have signed Kyel Reid on a permanent basis after his release from Sheffield Utd. Sky Sports are saying that we have agreed a deal. Remember they got the Doherty deal right. I like Reid, he is an exciting player who makes things happen and would be a very fine signing indeed.

What else? Oh yes Deon Burton has got his dream overseas move. Greece? No. Italy? No. Malta? No. Azerbaijan? Er, yes.

Azerbaijan side Gabala have a rich sugar-Daddy and recently paid Tony Adams £1m for a one-year contract as the club strive for a Champions League place. Good luck to Deon, I am sure he will earn a fair few manat's in the tiny 2,000 year old city.

Burton was always likely to move on but it underlines our desperate need for new strikers. Talking of which rumours are doing the rounds that Izale McLeod has accepted an offer put to him by the board to cancel his contract. Let's hope so.

Money is short down at The Valley, not helped by Cardiff bloody City owing us £500,000 for the 2nd installment of the Mark Hudson transfer fee. The Daily Mail is reporting today that we have reported the Bluebirds to the FA. Good.

Tomorrow the players go on a mini-tour of the A6 playing Kettering tomorrow and Bedford on Tuesday, after which Parky will decide on signing trialists Guillem Bauza and Etienne Esajas.  ¶ 08:38