ADDICKS boss Alan Pardew has confirmed he is interested in bringing Sunderland's Irish international defender Paul McShane to The Valley.

Pardew is desperate to bolster his defensive ranks ahead of Monday's transfer deadline after several high profile exits from SE7 during the summer left him short at the back.

McShane's name was first linked with Charlton a fortnight ago by News Shopper and the manager admitted this afternoon he is keen to have him on board.

Pards said: "A lot of the deals will wait until Monday because everyone in the Premier League has a game to come and there will be a knock on effect going on with players coming in and out.

"We would like to be on the back end of one deal where we get another defender.

"There has been interest between ourselves and Sunderland over Paul.

"I think he is a very good player and there will be a decision on him perhaps in this window."

Pardew also conceded Anton Ferdinand's recent arrival at the Stadium of Light might boost Charlton's prospects of capturing McShane's signature as the Irishman falls further down the pecking order in the north east.

"Possibly," he added when asked.

Meanwhile, the manager denied Linvoy Primus's proposed move from Portsmouth had collapsed and revealed the player had trained at Sparrows Lane this morning.

He explained: "Linvoy is going to come here on loan, the duration of which we are discussing still. It just got lost in translation a little bit.

"There is no bad feeling and there were always four interested parties - us, Portsmouth, Linvoy and his agent.

"Between us there was just a bit of miscommunication which will get sorted out no problem, certainly between us and Portsmouth.

"We've been overjoyed with their co-operation in this."

Pardew added: "His fitness is part of the issue because we feel he is not quite fit at the moment and he will not be available on Saturday, but he is in great shape physically.

"We are just monitoring it all at the minute.

"He will work with us and we will take a decision from there. He trained with us today and is fine."

Zheng Zhi's future remains in doubt, although Charlton and West Brom are still discussing the situation and News Shopper understands Hull City have asked to be informed of any developments.

Pardew said: "Zheng Zhi is still in the building. There are discussions with West Brom and they are ongoing.

"There are some tough negotiations going on on all flanks at the minute. The finances have kind of eased but there is still an ongoing situation there."

Pardew also added he would like to see summer signing from Forest Green Stuart Fleetwood go out on loan to gain some invaluable first team experience.

He said: "I don't think Stuart will go before this window, but he will go out on loan at some point because he is jumping up a few divisions and needs to make his mark in the one below us, a little bit like Chris Dickson did.

"It will be good for him and for us."