CHARLTON SET TO CATCH FISH

The South African international is currently at The Valley discussing personal terms, but the fee is likely to be considerably less than the £2 million the clubs agreed in the summer.

In the close season Fish said he would sign a two-year extension to his current deal at the Reebok Stadium, but reneged on this agreement last month - since when Charlton have been increasingly linked with making a renewed bid.

Fish, 26, would be free to leave the Lancashire club on a free transfer in the summer so Bolton have decided to cash in on the player and have made tentative enquiries about bringing in Colin Hendry as a replacement.

The move for the South African seems a wise one from Alan Curbishley as, despite his side's promising start to the campaign, the defence is traditionally the Achilles' heel of promoted sides.

Since their relegation two seasons ago, The Addicks have substantially strengthened their side, with stars such as Claus Jensen, Graeme Stuart and Jonatan Johansson adding Premiership quality to the team that narrowly failed to stay in the division, but the defence has remained unchanged.

Although this has not proved a problem in the early stages of the season over the next few months, when the relegation candidates will become clear, consolidation in this area is likely to be needed.