CHARLTON are ready to prove that patience is a virtue after refusing to be stampeded into a chase for new signings before the transfer window closed on September 1.

Manager Alan Curbishley will keep millions in transfer cash in the bank until the window re-opens on January 1.

After a £3m bid for Ipswich striker Darren Bent was rejected, the Addicks were rumoured to be turning their attention to a centre-back. But having already invested almost £9m, Curbishley will use the extra time to re-assess his transfer options.

He said: “I won’t sign players who I don’t believe will improve on what we have already. We have been quoted silly prices for players we became interested in while other potential targets are presently unavailable.”

Ipswich manager Joe Royle confirmed he wanted Charlton midfielder Graham Stuart as a part the Darren Bent transfer deal before it collapsed.

He said: “I would have wanted Graham Stuart on loan if any deal was going through. If we had lost a player from the squad I would have wanted one in straight away. As things stand we are going into the next part of the season and we still have four front players, so there is no problem.”

It is believed Ipswich will sell Bent to Everton, who are flush with cash following Wayne Rooney's £28m sale to Manchester United, for £4m when the window re-opens.