Addicks linked with Osborne

Charlton are being linked with 23-year old Brentford central defender Karleigh Osborne.   He is a product of the Brentford youth system and has played over 150 games for the Bees, but he has not accepted an improved contract offer made last month.

We did make two attempts to secure his services in the summer and there were also reports in November that we were chasing him again, but I would not have thought that the central defence was an area that required strengthening.   A Championship club are also rumoured to be interested.

Addicks target Bee

The Addicks are reported to be renewing their efforts to bring Brentford central defender Karleigh Osborne to The Valley.   It is claimed that the 23-year old was on Chris Powell's wanted list last summer and that he had a couple of offers rebuffed by the Bees.   Osborne is now in the last year of his current deal at Griffin Park and is yet to be offered new terms.

Osborne is a product of Brentford's youth team and has been watched several times by Chris Powell this season.   Why would we need another central defender?   Possibly it is a question of providing cover for injuries and suspensions which tend to mount as the season goes on.

Charlton have a reputation for fading as the season goes on, although in part that was one of the downsides of the Curbishley era.   Having a squad that has strength in depth is one way of insuring against the problem.