LEE BOWYER hopes to make THREE signings before Sunday’s game against Lincoln City.
And the first of them has already arrived with former Crystal Palace and Wigan midfielder Ben Watson arriving from Nottingham Forest.
Lee Bowyer is determined to strengthen his Charlton squad – and Ben Watson has already arrivedCredit: PA:Press Association
Chartlon’s transfer embargo has been lifted following the arrival of new owner Thomas Sandgaard.
The Danish businessman, 62, has insisted he wants to see his side “going for trophies”.
And Bowyer, 43, faces a race against time to bolster his squad ahead of this weekend’s match.
He said: “The embargo has been lifted, yeah.
“We’re moving straight away to get people signed for the weekend.
“We play Lincoln on Sunday and having a Sunday fixture has probably done us a favour because we’ve got that extra 24 hours to be able to bring players in who can then be available for the squad.
“A minimum of two [signings before the match] and hopefully – I don’t think it’s the right thing to do [name the players] at the moment. “
Charlton confirmed the arrival of Ben Watson, 35, later on Friday evening.
Bowyer said: “To bring in someone like Ben, with the experience that he has, is brilliant.
“We have a few younger players with us at the moment, so having someone with his experience this season is going to be so important. I’m delighted that he’s chosen us.”
Bowyer’s side have rejected offers for Alfie Doughty, Dillon Phillips and Macauley Bonne – and the new owner is not expected to sell any of his players anytime soon.
Former Leeds star Bowyer continued: “We have to do it the right way in case things don’t go the way we want them to go.
“Clubs will still make offers – I have no doubt in that.
“We were never going to accept an offer that we didn’t see the value of the player.
“So nothing has changed on those lines.
“Obviously if the right offer came in and financially it would be good business for the football club then it doesn’t matter what player, you have to look at the situation and see if it the right deal for the club.
Thomas Sandgaard plays in a rock band and is recording their debut albumCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“Thomas is here now and he has said ‘no one is for sale’. But we were saying that before.
“The most important thing is we’ve got financial stability and we don’t have to sell.
“Whereas people before, I believe, were trying to take advantage of how weak we were.
“Now they realise we’re not so weak anymore, so the price will definitely be right.”
Thomas Sandgaard announces to Jim White that he is the new owner of Charlton Athletic
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
