CHRIS Powell has denied a national newspaper report which said he tried to sign Southampton winger Jason Puncheon during the January transfer window.

Puncheon was linked with the Addicks earlier this week by the paper, which also suggested it would be a case of second time lucky for Charlton because Powell had wanted to bring in the 25-year-old midway through this season.

But although the Valley chief was reluctant to speculate on whether Puncheon could become a target this summer as the paper suggested, he did pour cold water on the idea an earlier bid had been lodged.

Powell said: “He’s a good player no doubt about it.

“I think we will be linked with a lot of players now given our position and thinking of next season.

“He’s not a player I went for in January, but he’s a good player who has had lots of clubs at Championship or League One level.

“But it’s not someone I’ve bid for or spoken to his parent club about because I’m busy with our season and trying to complete that before I move on to anything else.”

When asked about what plans he has for this summer in terms of recruitment, Powell added: “I think it’s a case of trying to add to a squad that is capable of competing at a higher level, but of course we’ve got to get there first.

“But I will always be looking for good players, as I did last year, to add to my squad and improve us as a football club but we will wait and see.

“Good players normally cost, and that’s another factor, and it has got to be right financially for the football club, as well as for me, that it is a player who will enhance us and move us forward.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt