CHARLTON manager Alan Pardew has signed Danny Mills on a loan deal from Manchester City until the end of the year.

The former Addicks defender returns to the club for a second spell and will be joined by Reading's Sam Sodje, who is expected to sign a one-year loan agreement tomorrow.

Striker Marcus Bent is poised to quit the club for Wigan and there remains a strong possibility Amdy Faye will also be moving on before the end of the transfer window at midnight tomorrow.

Pardew said:"Danny Mills trained today and is here on loan until December 31 and Sodje from Reading is arriving hopefully tomorrow on a year's loan.

"The reason we've brought Danny Mills to the club is because we feel we are lacking a little bit of organisation at the back, a little bit of experience at times and he is somebody who is aware of what this division is about.

"I think he will be important for us because Yassin is still obviously some way off.

"He is coming back to a club he knows well.

"I spoke about how he left and obviously he had an absolutely fantastic offer to go, but his heart was always a little bit at Charlton, so he couldn't wait to get back here.

"I hope the fans respond to him the way he has responded to us because he has been great this morning."

Mills goes straight into the Charlton squad for Saturday's derby at Selhurst Park, although Sodje is ruled out through suspension.

Pardew also explained his decision to let Bent speak to Wigan about a move to the JJB.

The Addicks boss said: "Marcus Bent is talking to Wigan regarding a loan or permanent move there.

"I've had to look at the start of the season and looking at my squad, I need to strengthen in some areas and I'm strong in other areas.

"Fortunately for me I'm very strong in that area so I'm ok about it."

The Addicks boss also denied Celtic's Steven Pressley would be joining the club.