League 1 club Charlton look set for a takeover.

Former Addicks chief executive Peter Varney, who left The Valley at the end of the 2007-08 season, is believed to be representing a group of investors who are poised to take control within the next two weeks in a multi-million pound deal.

Charlton, who were relegated at the end of the season just a year after dropping out of the Barclays Premier League, are believed to have debts of around £40million.

Mr Varney declined to comment.

Chairman Richard Murray and Derek Chappell, chairman of the club's parent plc have postponed Thursday's question-and-answer evening at The Valley after receiving extensive legal advice.

"Our advisors have warned us it would not be appropriate to attend a public meeting, and the current situation means that we would have been unable to answer or contribute to many of the likely main points of discussion, which would have been wholly unsatisfactory," Murray told the club's official website.

"It might sound strange, but I hope fans take this as a positive thing, and of course we will rearrange the event the moment we are able to speak more freely."

A similar postponement of a fans' forum occurred in October last year after it was revealed that Dubai-based Zabeel Investments had made an offer to take over the Addicks which subsequently collapsed.

The Addicks open their pre-season fixture schedule at near neighbours Welling tonight (Wed).