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Charlton Athletic boss Alan Pardew has been instructed to trim his squad down a tad.

The Addicks have got a hefty 31-man wage bill to contend with, and they could with cashing in on someone.

And that someone could well be Zheng Zhi. The midfielder is about to get China's Olympic campaign underway as the host nation's captain, which is sure to boost his profile and subsequently his value.

We all know how lazy scouts really are, and with Zheng not exactly shy in front of goal he could easily catch the eye of another club and earn Charlton a few bob with a quick exit.

It's not looking so good around the entrance to The Valley, as it looks as though Sunderland's Paul McShane is going to bring his unique brand of 'defending' to south east London on a loan deal.

There are mixed messages coming out of the Madejski. Steve Coppell was quick to reveal that he had turned down a bid for Nicky Shorey on Tuesday, but now it has been reported that both Aston Villa and Sunderland have had £4.5 million bids accepted.

Ipswich Town are also being pestered by the big (well, bigger) boys, with representatives of Wigan Athletic loitering around Portman Road with £3 million in a plastic carrier bag and their eyes fixed on midfielder Danny Haynes.

The sale of Danny Shittu has been the subject of repeated denials from Watford, who were shrewd enough to know that the defender will be key as they try to win promotion this season.

So, after all that, the medical he had at Bolton Wanderers with a view to a £2 million is a little bit of a retread.

Finally, Coventry City striker Kevin Kyle is skipping down the lane playing his pipe, and has Burnley, Barnsley, Ipswich and Crystal Palace all chasing after him.

Eurosport