CHARLTON manager Chris Powell expects he will have to be creative in the transfer market when the window opens next month.

The Addicks are only one point above the relegation zone ahead of this weekend’s trip to Bolton, the first of four vital Championship fixtures in the space of 11 hectic days over the festive period.

Charlton’s lack of financial clout is no secret, prompting Powell to admit he will have to become a real wheeler and dealer in the January sales if his main targets are to be landed.

When asked what funds if any would be made available, the Valley boss replied: “I wouldn’t go down the road of funds but what I would say is it is a very important month for us with these four games over the Christmas period and January.

“Talking about funds, it may not even be that.

“I’m going to have to be as creative as I can but we need to shake it up.

“How I do that and how I go about that is open to conjecture but no doubt I have to do that.

“Whether that is just trying to juggle and move things, whether that is buying, which I’m not in a position to say to you I’ve got money to spend, whether it is moving people in and out on loan, whether it is trying to get some free transfers in, whatever it takes.

“We just need that impetus I think, that spark that comes with maybe bringing two or three players in who are a bit unaffected with what has gone on before.

“But certainly when you bring new players in they always bring something slightly different or else you wouldn’t have brought them in in the first place.”

More worryingly for Addicks fans is the fact Powell wasn’t this morning able to rule out the suggestion some players might be sold in the window, with many of the current squad out of contract in the summer.

“It is a possibility, of course it is,” the manager said.

“I don’t really want to do that but it is a possibility. I can’t sit here and answer you and say ‘no’ because I think people know our position.

“People know what the situation is with certain players so there is no need for me to hide around anything, that is something that absolutely could happen.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt