STAR Addicks' striker Darren Bent was last week recalled to the England side for tonight's friendly against Greece at Old Trafford, along with the fit-again Luke Young. The duo both missed the World Cup and Bent was initially chosen for the under-21s' European Championship match against Moldova last night along with Darren Ambrose but both Bent and Young were eventually named in Steve McClaren's first squad as England manager.

IAIN Dowie last week revealed Darren Bent was ahead of schedule in his bid to regain full fitness ahead of Saturday's first Premiership match. The striker made his third pre-season appearance, and first start, against FC Utrecht on Friday night, and Dowie said: "Darren is about three or four days ahead of where we thought he'd be, and got a good 75 minutes in against Utrecht."

FANS can take advantage of free return coach travel to The Valley from across the south east for Charlton's first home Saturday Premiership match of the new season against Bolton Wanderers on August 26 (3pm). Match tickets are on general sale, priced £20 adults, £10 over-60s and under-21s, and £5 under-18s - see valleyexpress.co.uk or call 0871 226 1905 for more information.

THE £1.6m sale of former Addicks' youngster Danny Shittu from Queens Park Rangers to Watford last week netted Charlton a £312,500 windfall. The Addicks were due 25 per cent of any profit QPR made above the £350,000 they paid Charlton in 2002.

STOP PRESS: Charlton have snapped up Liverpool keeper Scott Carson on loan for one year. Dowie went for the 20-year-old after missing out on Norwich's Robert Green.