CHARLTON MAY PIP GORD FOR PRESSLEY

STEVEN PRESSLEY was last night mulling over a move to England that would end Celtic's hopes of making him the replacement for broken leg victim Bobe Balde.

Gordon Strachan's need to have the former Hearts skipper at Parkhead increased when it was confirmed yesterday that defender Balde broke his right leg in the 2-2 Boxing Day draw against Dundee United.

The towering Guinea defender's studs caught in the turf while making a clearance and he now faces months on the sidelines.

Strachan has already had signing talks with Scotland star Pressley but last night he was in London for discussions with Premiership side Charlton.

Pressley, who is expected to make a final decision on his future by the end of this week, watched new boss Alan Pardew get off to a good start with a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham.

Pressley sat in the stand at The Valley and the signs are this could be his new football home.

Pardew said: "There is a good chance he will be at Charlton and it will be a good addition if we can secure him for nothing. What I like about him is that he is a leader. I think we have some very good centre-halves here but he comes into a pack that needs characters and leadership."

Strachan will have to switch focus if the lure of another crack at English football after 12 years in Scotland has taken former Coventry City player Pressley out of the equation.

The Hoops boss may renew interest in Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson, while Luton's Trinidad and Tobago star, Carlos Edwards, is also on his radar.

With Gary Caldwell out for at least another month and Stephen McManus playing through the pain of a groin problem, teenager Darren O'Dea is the only fully fit central defender on Celtic's books.

Taken from the Daily Record