CHARLTON left for their two-match trip to China on Saturday with manager Alan Curbishley hoping he receives a call from club PLC chairman Richard Murray confirming the signing of a new striker.

Mr Murray remained behind so he would be available to clinch any deal well in advance of August 31 when the transfer window closes.

Curbishley said: “I will be delighted if the chairman rings me in China with the news that we’ve made a signing. I want two more players on top of those we’ve signed already.

“The chairman is staying behind so he will be available should there be any developments on the transfer front.”

The latest player to be linked with Charlton is former Arsenal striker Kanu whose agent confirmed the club’s interest before West Bromwich Albion moved in for him.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said: “The way fans read transfer speculation is that they see a name, say Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is available, and in come the droves of letters asking why we haven’t signed him?

“We will not make a signing through the media. That’s why supporters get frustrated because they see this club have signed him and that club have signed someone else. But I would say that you probably haven't seen the name of the player we do want to sign.”