SCOTT Sinclair remains on loan at Charlton despite claims he had returned to Stamford Bridge.

Reports suggested the highly rated winger was back at Chelsea after failing to make the bench for Tuesday evening's 1-0 defeat at Burnley, with the Premiership giants supposedly furious he was not getting first team experience with the Addicks.

However, News Shopper can confirm he did take part in this morning's training session at Sparrows Lane and manager Alan Pardew rubbished the rumours of an early exit.

He said: "Scott and all the loan players here other than Leroy Lita, where we have a conversation to be had, are here for the season to try and help us get promoted.

"Players and fans should respect that these guys have come in on loan and are doing everything they can to try and help get us promoted.

"If we had to lay out transfer fees for those players, then Cooky went to Fulham for £2.4m, Sinclair is of massive value to Chelsea and Greg Halford has had two big transfers.

"I am hoping they show their commitment over the next few weeks because they are certainly showing it on the training ground."

The loan signings have collectively made an indifferent start to life with the Addicks, although the manager believes there is still plenty of time for them to come good.

Pardew explained: "All the loan players are expected to make an immediate impact and I think that is always difficult. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.

"Leroy's first couple of games are what I would have expected and I don't think we've created a lot of chances for him in all honesty.

"You look at him in training and think if something falls for him, he looks like the most likely.

"It is probably good he has got two games under his belt, Scott Sinclair has got a bit of football under his belt, but we are still trying to get Cooky up to speed because he has been out a long time.

"I'm hoping the best from those loan players is yet to come."

Pardew has already conceded the play-offs are Charlton's only realistic route to promotion after the recent run of disappointing results, but remains convinced they can deliver as the season reaches its climax.

He explained: "In searching for a team which was going to get automatic promotion, maybe we've got a bit juggled up and now we've lost a couple of games, people are questioning whether we've got it right.

"It is only 10 days ago we were still searching for an automatic promotion place. That is gone now and now it is a case of trying to get our best side to get in the play-offs.

"They are new agendas for us and only probably after the Burnley result is that a factor."

Pardew added: "We go into the run in with a very strong and sizeable squad. I need 11 players to scream out at me they are the first choice.

"We've got two or three positions where we are not really narrowed down yet or the performances haven't suggested it is narrowed down.

"You cannot hide from the pressure, especially in the home games where it is going to be there for all to see and hear, so you've got to cope with it."

Charlton travel to fellow play-off contenders Ipswich this Saturday and the boss remains upbeat about his side's chances of getting a positive result, despite their recent poor form.

He said: "There is no doubt this is a very tough period for us and if we turn around and say we aren't going to get anything there, then we wouldn't bother turning up.

"We think we can win at Ipswich so that is what we will focus on, and only that, at the minute.

"I would like to think we would have been in a better position than this, but we are not and have to accept that.

"There is no point in going over spilt milk with what has happened this season."

Zheng Zhi should return to the side for the visit to Portman Road, although Madjid Bougherra is still ruled out.