MANAGER Alan Pardew believes Charlton will be the bookmakers' favourites to make an immediate return to the Premiership next season.

Pardew said: "Looking at the three teams that have gone down, we're probably the favourites to come straight back up. So we might have to live with that tag, which will not be easy because we're going into a very difficult division.

"I shall be sitting down with every one of the players we retain, telling them what lies ahead, because we are going to be a big scalp."

Pardew dismissed strong speculation linking Charlton with Gillingham's out-of-contract winger Matt Jarvis.

But he disclosed: "I was hoping to make a signing before the Liverpool game but you'll have to wait for that one."

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