Herminator wants to stay at The Valley

Hermann Hreidarsson enjoys a celebratory moment as Man of the Match with equine magnate John Window

A number of clubs are being linked with a move for Addicks defender Hermann Hreidarsson according to Sky Sports News. Although unconfirmed by our man in Grindavik, Olafur Johansson, who is out on his boat, reports in his native Iceland claim at least three rival Premiership clubs have made contact, with the Cottagers, Wigan, the Smoggies, the Barcodes, and the Massives in the frame.

The player's agent Olafur Gardarsson insists that the player is more than happy with life at The Valley under new coach Iain Dowie - but admits he has heard of possible interest. [i.e., he thinks it is a chance to boost the player's salary]. Indeed, Inspector Sands thinks that the heat in London has gone to the agent's head.

'Hermann is happy, he is happy at the club and he has one year left on his current deal,' Gardarsson told skysports.com. 'We have heard there has been offers, but the club has not said anything. Hermann is an ambitious player, he has a lot of ambition but he is not worried.'

'He likes the look of the new manager and thinks he is very good, indeed the club have said that they will be looking to open talks over a new contract.'

A doughty defender and one of Charlton's acquisitions from Ipswich, the Herminator was played more often at centre than his favoured left bank position last season. Injury problems towards the end of the season undermined his form.

Spanner story has legs

Our view is that IC London often gets stories from sources friendly with the club. Hence the claim that the Addicks are tracking Spanners midfielder Marvin Elliott may not just be another piece of silly season gossip invented as a filler by a lazy and under pressure journalist. Certainly we need strengthening in central midfield although I would put 'creative' before 'tough tackling'.

Elliott has rejected a 'lucrative' long-term deal at The New Den and says he wants to move on from the Toolbox. Who can blame him? Several Championship clubs are also showing an interest in him, but Millwall would want £1million for Elliott who has already made 115 appearances for them.