CHARLTON boss Chris Powell has downplayed speculation linking him with a number of players this week.

Colchester’s Anthony Wordsworth and Notts County’s Alan Judge have both been strongly linked with the Addicks, but Powell today denied approaching either player or their clubs.

“We seem to be linked with Wordsworth all the time, every transfer window,” he said.

“Obviously we came across him last season in League One.

“I haven’t seen him this season though but he is still being linked with us constantly.

“Judge seems to be a story recently drummed up over the weekend.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone at Notts County about bringing him here.

“It really is fact or fiction time for few weeks - it will only ever be fact when I actually bring a player through the door.”

Another player linked with a move to The Valley is Birmingham City striker Marlon King.

The Midlands club are in all kinds of financial trouble and may have to sell their top players this month.

But while Powell is an admirer of several members of the Blues' squad, he won’t be making a cut price move for any of them before the transfer window shuts next week.

“It is well documented Birmingham need to sell, possibly their keeper,” he said.

“They have one or two really high earners so Lee (Clark) has been forced to play one or two younger players in recent weeks.

“But we aren’t in the market for any of their players.

“They are the sort of players that will go to a club with significant financial backing in this league or maybe even the Premier League.

“Like a lot of clubs, especially those who have been in the Premier League recently, Birmingham have to cut their cloth accordingly.

“We are all in the same boat but some have it worse than others.”

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