A RETURN to The Valley for striker Leon Clarke from his loan spell at Scunthorpe appears unlikely after manager Chris Powell today downplayed the suggestion.

Clarke’s impressive goal tally since joining the Iron, combined with Charlton’s growing injury problems up front, had led to speculation the forward may return to SE7.

And although not completely ruling the suggestion out, Powell admitted it is unlikely at the minute.

He said: “We’ve still got good strikers with regards to Bradley Wright-Phillips and Rob Hulse.

“I’ve got Jordan Cook, who is a very good young player, Callum Harriott has been included and Leon is in a place where he is playing regularly.

“If he came back here to be on the bench I don’t think he would be too happy.

“It is something I will look at if I have to but of course I’ve told Leon and we’ve spoken man to man with regards to his future.

“He is playing and he is doing well at Scunthorpe in League One.

“Obviously bringing him back to the Championship is a different level of football, but he is doing very well so that is pleasing for him.”

Powell also denied reports linking other League One clubs with a permanent move for Clarke.

He added: “I’ve had no contact with other clubs as yet.

“His contract is up at the end of the season so as each day goes by his value is not going up it is actually going down because of the position he would be in with regards to his contract.

“We will have to wait and see if anything evolves from other clubs.

“Whether he comes back here or whether he gets a new three-year deal (elsewhere), we will have to wait and see.”

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