CHARLTON manager Chris Powell has laughed off reports of a swap deal involving Danny Green for Birmingham City’s Wade Elliott.

Green’s last start came on Boxing Day in the 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, although he was replaced at the break by Bradley Pritchard and has only featured once on the bench since as an unused substitute last weekend against Huddersfield.

But despite the player struggling to make as many starts as he would like, Powell was quick to downplay any suggestion a swap for Blues midfielder Elliott is on the cards.

“It is silly season,” the Charlton boss said.

“Obviously people look at players that aren’t playing for us but Wade Elliot has been playing for Birmingham and I’m sure he scored a great goal last week in the cup.

“I’ve spoken to their number two (Derek Fazackerley) this week actually about something completely different.

“We were together at Leicester and he never mentioned Danny, so no truth.”

Powell was also asked about the long-term future of another winger out of the first team squad, Scott Wagstaff.

“That’s what is going to happen now, people are going to look at the players who haven’t been playing regularly,” the gaffer said.

“I do it, and it is no secret you look at fringe players and think ‘they might be available’, so I think people are doing the same with us.

“I’m going to be fair to those guys .

“As long as I’m OK with numbers - because we are a bit light at the moment I must admit, we lost those loan players, got a few injured so we are a little bit light with regards to experience and numbers in that squad - that is something I have to address.

“Obviously I don’t want to move a lot of players on knowing I’m not covered.

“I will do it only when it is right for the club and right for the squad that we are OK number wise and have got enough quality and experience.

“It is all well and good putting in lots of young players but it is a tough league and if you are not used to it and that sort of senior football at this level it can be tough.

“So I’ve got to make sure if the players you’ve mentioned (Green and Wagstaff) are linked with these clubs and they do eventually pick up the phone, then I’ll only do it as long as it is right for me and for us.”

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