Charlton boss Russell Slade hopes to strike a deal with former Ipswich Town and Wolves man Kevin Foley.

Foley has been on trial with the Addicks for several weeks and first featured for Slade’s side in the pre-season defeat at Bromley.

The Luton-born player missed Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient, but was back in action for Charlton in the 0-0 draw with Ipswich on Tuesday.

Slade believes Foley, who was released by the Tractor Boys, brings a maturity to the side and admitted he wanted to keep the 31-year-old at the club.

“Kevin is a really solid player and talking to Mick [McCarthy] before the game, he clearly thinks very highly of him,” Slade said.

“He’s one we would like to keep in the building if at all possible because you need depth, there’s no doubt about that.

“Kevin is quite flexible and adaptable in that he slid into that full-back position and he can play in midfield.

“He’s a really solid, steady footballer and I’ll be honest, we look a better team when we’ve got the likes of [Andrew] Crofts and Foley in there – I think we look more mature and controlled with them in the side.”

With less than two weeks remaining until the start of the new season, Slade admits he still hopes to bolster his squad with several signings.

And the former Cardiff City boss expects to complete some business before the end of the week.

He added: “Of course with the season not too far away we need to still be recruiting, which we are.

“We’re working really hard as a club to ensure that we get maybe five signings in before the start of the new season.”

When asked whether he was able to put a timeframe on the club’s incoming deals, Slade said: “They’re like buses aren’t they sometimes?

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“You wait for a long time then maybe two or three come together – that would be nice if that happened right now, but look, it’s not time to panic.

“We have got our targets set and we are in negotiation with several football clubs. We would hope that we could do some business by the end of this week.”

At the top of Slade’s transfer wishlist is a new goalkeeper – the departures of Nick Pope and Stephen Henderson have left the Addicks without a senior stopper at the club.

“We’re very close, we would hope to conclude the business this week,” said Slade, when asked about the goalkeeper situation.

“It would be nice to be able to do that and to settle a few people down as we prepare for the season.

“These will get done, these signings will come in.

“But there’s no need to panic because we don’t want to get players who are not the right fit for the football club.”

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