CHARLTON chief executive Peter Varney has insisted any expansion plans for The Valley will not have a direct effect on the club’s transfer budget.

The Premiership side recently unveiled proposals, including an architect’s drawing, to increase the capacity of its ground to 40,000.

But with manager Alan Curbishley believed to have yet to invest all the transfer money he received in the summer, Varney says the construction work will not have any impact on team building.

He said: “The cost of any new ground development would be financed by a combination of grants and an extension to our existing mortgage facilities. It does not directly affect the transfer budget available to the manager.”

The Addicks boss recently ruled out a move for Southampton striker James Beattie, but another striker could well be on his wish-list, perhaps alongside a central defender given Mark Fish’s current spell on the sidelines and the club’s poor away form - the club have conceded 15 goals in five away league matches.

The Charlton board discussed the latest expansion plans on Monday. The next step would be to submit an official planning application to Greenwich Council.

But Charlton have announced there will be a public consultation exercise with local residents to enable the club to deal with any concerns before it reached that stage.

It was recently revealed that a special Target 40,000 committee had begun meeting to consider innovative ways to further encourage support, like the recent initiative at the Blackburn game on September 27.

Mr Varney added: “More than 1,200 fans were unfortunately locked out of the Blackburn match because they were unable to buy seats together.

“We did give an allocation to schools in Kent that we could undoubtedly have sold in hindsight but when teams like Blackburn bring only 550 fans, it is vital we take the opportunity to give youngsters the chance to see Premiership football.”