Addicks chief monitors Sodje

Sodje spent last year on loan in SE7 and with the Addicks desperate to bolster their defensive options after the departures of Madjid Bougherra, Ben Thatcher, Paddy McCarthy and Osei Sankofa, a possible return was not ruled out by Pards.

He said: "Sodje is a player we have kept in contact with in terms of what is happening there with Reading.

"Nicky Hammond, the director of football there, is a good friend of mine as is Steve Coppell so we have discussed where his future lies.

"I think that decision hasn't been made yet what Reading are actually going to do with him, but he is on our radar and that is all I can say."

Pardew would be willing to use the loan system again despite last year's mixed performances with temporary signings.

However, the manager added he was more interested in players coming in for the whole year, citing the positive impact made by Sodje after his arrival in August.

He explained: "I would like to sign players who are committed for the year and will give you an example.

"When we signed Sam Sodje last year on a year's loan, I felt his commitment and drive for us was as good as anyone else.

"With one or two last year who we took on loan, I didn't think that was the case.

"Their agenda was slightly different than doing everything they could for Charlton.

"The bottom line is that is what you want your players to do, to die for the club and this is what our fans want, so if I can get players on year loans I'm quite comfortable with it."

Pardew confirmed last weekend an offer had been made for Zheng Zhi, but revealed the un-named side would need to come back with more money if they wanted to land the Chinese star.

"A club has tabled a bid but it is not to our valuation at the minute, so at the moment he is still a Charlton player and I'm not going to elaborate too much more," he said.

The Valley chief is also confident of drafting in some players in the next seven days, a period he feels when the transfer merry-go-round will finally get into full swing.

He said: "Obviously there are a lot of calls going in. The Premiership starts next week and everyone has been holding back a bit.

"There will be a lot of movement next week I think and obviously we need to be part of that.

"We had a positive board meeting on Tuesday and I heard the sort of things I want to hear.

"I don't really want to discuss any more on the money but what I would say is I do feel there is some room to bring a couple of players in."

The manager also revealed Mark Hudson, who is rated 60-40 to recover from his ankle injury in time to face Swansea on Saturday, would be the Addicks' skipper.

He said: "I've told Matty Holland that Mark Hudson will be the captain this year. I think he will be a massive player for us.

"I'm so delighted to have him and he is a player we feel was an unbelievable capture for us.

"His leadership and steadiness at the back was something we sorely missed last year."

Pardew feels his squad, which although smaller in numbers, has learnt crucial lessons from last year's debut in the Championship which will be invaluable second time around.

He said: "We feel we have a good side and players who know the division much better than they did last year and the management staff know the division better too so we are better set for it.

"We should have players who have gained from last year and I think we can do better than last year, albeit we've lost four or five key players.

"In terms of a stable side, that is the sign of a successful side and if you look at us last year, we didn't have a stable side or eight absolute certs.

"That is what I'm looking for this year and all teams which don't do particularly well are the ones who chop and change, but you are chopping and changing because it isn't working so it kind of goes hand in hand."

Pardew added: "Obviously I want a settled side, but I need to have eight players who I feel can play every week.

"Now I do feel we are one or two players perhaps short of that, but at the minute I've certainly got six or seven who I feel can do a whole campaign this year.

"This will make us more settled and a smaller squad is always better if you can keep people fit. It will be important this year we don't lose the likes of Varney, Hudson, Holland, Weaver and Kelly Youga for any length of time."