ZHENG Zhi faces another lengthy midweek trip later this month when he plays for China in a World Cup qualifier against Australia.

The midfielder arrived back in SE7 from a game against Iraq in Dubai the day before last month's match against Crystal Palace, and now faces a round trip to Kunming between the home games against West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Madjid Bougherra has been named in the Algeria squad for a friendly with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Paris, also on March 26.

CHARLTON have begun their hunt for a successor to current chief executive Peter Varney, who announced he was leaving the club at the end of last week, citing personal reasons.

Alan Pardew said: "I'm very disappointed he's leaving. It's a big blow to us and we're going to have to regroup as a board and management to make sure we get the right person in to replace him, as he's going to be a tough act to follow."

Derek Chappell was due to become the new chairman of Charlton plc following a meeting of shareholders on Monday, with Richard Murray stepping across to take up the role as chairman of the football club.

TICKETS for Charlton's next two matches against West Bromwich Albion on Good Friday, March 21 (4.45pm) and Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 29 (5.20pm) are on general sale.

Seats are priced £20 for adults, £15 for over-60s and under-21s and £10 for under-18s, but are £5 more expensive for adults against West Brom.

Both the West Brom and Wolves fixtures are being screened live on Sky.

For more information, visit cafc.co.uk or call 0871 226 1905.

EMERGING midfielder Rashid Yussuff, one of the stars of Charlton's run to the quarter-finals of the youth cup, signed a two-and-a-half-year professional contract last Friday.

The 18-year-old scored twice for the Addicks in the competition and said he was over the moon.

He said: "I know it's not going to instantly make me a first-team regular.

"But it shows I'm going to be staying at Charlton and means I can continue to develop here and keep improving my game."

STRIKER Izale McLeod will not kick a ball until December after dislocating his knee last week in only his second appearance of a loan spell for Colchester United.

He was stretchered off following a foul by Plymouth Argyle defender Krisztian Timar on March 4.

McLeod suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament, damaged both collateral ligaments and suffered a torn meniscus.

TICKETS for Charlton's trip to Plymouth Argyle on April 5 (3pm) are likely to go on sale by the end of this week, priced £22 for adults, £15 for over-65s and under-21s and £6 for under-16s.

For more information, visit cafc.co.uk or call 0871 226 1905.

A REFUSAL by Greenwich Council to vary a condition placed on potential residential accommodation as part of Charlton's east-stand development plans could see the Addicks appeal to the environment secretary.

Although permission for the nine flats has been granted, the council is stipulating any tenants must be "associated with the club", a condition the club argues is unenforceable.

The residential project is integral to Charlton's funding for the development work.

FANS can live out their dreams by playing on the Valley pitch later this year.

The pitch can be hired out from May 16 to May 30 by individuals who want to play on the same surface as their heroes, or corporate clients and companies.

Players can also use the home and away changing rooms and invite family and friends to watch.

More details of the club's pitch hire programme are available by emailing nicola.bland@cafc.co.uk or by calling 020 8333 4040.

LEROY Lita made his Charlton debut against Preston North End on Saturday, but a lack of service meant a frustrating afternoon in the 2-1 defeat.

The striker joined on loan from Premier League Reading, initially for a month, three days earlier.

Alan Pardew said: "He's a hungry striker and he wants to score goals. He'll add aggression, which is something I think we've lacked at times this season in our forward play."

THE loan of goalkeeper Darren Randolph at League Two Bury was extended for a second month last Friday.

The Shakers defeated Morecambe 2-1 on Saturday in Randolph's eighth appearance for the North West club.

ARSENAL'S academy edged out Charlton under-18s by a single goal on Saturday.

The Addicks entertain Tottenham Hotspur at Sparrows Lane on Saturday (11am), while the reserves are next in action against Watford next Monday (7pm) at Stonebridge Road.

Arsenal also defeated the Charlton women's team last Sunday, 3-0 in the semi-final of the London Cup.

The Addicks face Chelsea at Dartford's Princes Park on Sunday (2pm).