CHARLTON manager Alan Curbishley has distanced the club from intense media speculation linking former midfielder Scott Parker with what would be a sensational return to The Valley.

Parker was sold to Chelsea for £10 million in acrimonious circumstances last season. Curbishley has often lamented that the side have never really got over the sale of their most influential player.

So far this season the 23 year old has played eight minutes of first team football for Chelsea - as a defensive midfield substitute in the opening day victory against Manchester United.

Twelve months ago he was considered by many to be the best English midfielder outside the Premiership’s elite after leading Charlton to the brink of UEFA Cup qualification. He was also capped by England.

But since Jose Mourinho succeeded Claudio Ranieri at Stamford Bridge, Parker has found himself out of favour and become used to watching from the sidelines.

Asked about the possibility of Parker returning to the club, Curbishley said: “I’ve read the reports and quite honestly I don’t know where they’ve come from.

“This is purely media speculation and I knew nothing about this until I read it in the papers. My understanding is that Mourinho wants to keep all his players.”

Asked about the chances of Parker being sold, Mourinho said: “I have a lot of midfield players and no one is injured, so somebody has to be out.

“But I stay happy because Parker is not happy. If a player is not being used many times and he’s happy, it’s because he has no ambition. Scott is probably feeling unhappy because he’s not playing but he is working every day and his chance will arrive.”

He added: “The press say he wants to leave but imagine if later this month or next, he is playing regularly. He won't want to leave Chelsea for sure.”

Should Parker return to Charlton, some supporters would find it hard to forgive him after a much-publicised promise 10 months ago

He said at the time: “I've signed a five year contract at Charlton because I'm happy.

Charlton are ambitious. I’ve been at the club since I was nine and the fans love me. Charlton is the right club for me.” Within weeks he had left to join Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Curbishley blamed the club’s third four-goal defeat on the road this season, at Arsenal on Saturday, on a failure to keep possession.

He said: “The defenders have improved but the people who let us down were those who were trying to pass it when we were on the attack. It was partly down to Arsenal’s pressing, but we managed to keep the ball for two or three passes and it was coming back.

“We couldn't relieve the pressure, and against a side like Arsenal you will get hurt.”