BABANGIDA ON HIS WAY TO CHARLTON

The talented winger has been on trial with the Londoners and our sources believe he has impressed sufficiently to earn a permanent switch to The Addicks, with Alan Curbishley interested in sealing his transfer.

The board are looking at finalising the deal with the Ajax ace, although Babangida requires a work permit because he does not hold an EC passport.

This was the reason why a proposed move to Huddersfield collapsed and the African has also seen a transfer to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce fall through, when he failed the stringent medical tests.

Click here for our earlier story which broke Athletic`s interest in Babangida

Meanwhile, Curbishley is struggling to find a partner for Richard Rufus ahead of the midweek Worthington Cup clash with Stoke.

Carl Tiler and Andy Todd are both injured and the experienced Steve Brown is out through suspension.