Addicks rubbish Curbs reports

Charlton have slammed reports that they are ready to offer Alan Curbishley a new deal.

The News of the World quoted Addicks chief executive Peter Varney as saying that Curbishley would be handed a new contract which the paper stated would be worth £2.8 million should he not succeed Sven Goran Eriksson.

However, the Premiership side have revealed that Varney has not spoken to the newspaper and that any contract talks are on hold until the summer.

"The story in The News of the World is a complete fabrication," Varney told the club's official website.

"I have not spoken to their reporter, Matt Driscoll, or any other journalist at The News of the World.

"The author has taken quotes from a club statement regarding the approach by The Football Association to hold discussions with Alan and then amended those quotes and added fabricated ones in order to make a story.

"I think the fact that our board is referred to as the 'Latics board' speaks for itself."

Aside from highlighting the erroneous description of the Addicks hierarchy, Varney insisted that talks over a new deal for Curbishley would take place in the summer if he is overlooked for the national role.

"The position remains as we have clearly stated it on many occasions," Varney added.

"At the end of the season Richard Murray and Alan will, subject to the outcome of the situation regarding the England manager's role, sit down and discuss his contractual situation which is the stated wish of both parties.

"If the board of Oldham Athletic has made Alan an offer, though, we would like to know about it!"

Curbishley has been interviewed for the England job but is only one of a number of candidates, and Addicks defender Luke Young says the speculation surrounding their boss has not played on the London side.

"I don't think it's affected our squad really," Young told The Independent.

"There was no surprise that The FA wanted to speak to Alan.

"He sat us down before our game (against Middlesbrough) and explained that they were interviewing a lot before him, and probably a lot of people after him.

"The lads were happy with what he said."

Young has international aspirations of his own and is hoping to travel to the World Cup finals in Germany as Eriksson's second choice right back.

Whilst Young could offer a surprise option at left back if required, the Charlton man is resigned to acting as understudy to the vastly experienced Gary Neville.

"It's true, when I was coming through the ranks at Spurs they had a few problems at left back so I used to get put there," Young added. 

"In the end I was in that position so much that I got used to it, I wouldn't be fazed to do it for England.

"But it would be nice to have a few games there before being thrown in.

"Hopefully I've done enough to get on the plane to Germany.

"You can try and put enough pressure on him (Neville) as you can, but at the end of the day he's going to play right back for England in Germany."