
Iain Dowie is closing in on more new faces as he looks to further strengthen the Charlton squad ahead of the Premiership campaign.
The Addicks have been tracking several targets this summer following Dowie's appointment as successor to long-serving manager Alan Curbishley.
Veteran Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was lured to The Valley on a free transfer, while promising youngster Simon Walton has been signed from Leeds. American defender Cory Gibbs, however, will not be available until at least November following knee surgery.
Liverpool's Djimi Traore, Newcastle midfielder Amady Faye and Sweden World Cup goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson are all said to be on Dowie's wanted list.
While the Charlton manager today openly admitted he is looking to recruit up to five more players, he would not divulge just who those targets may be.
"I believe we are fairly close on maybe three or four fronts," Dowie declared.
"I have always said I would not comment on who, why or where because that is disrespectful to other people's clubs and I would also not like that about my players."
The Charlton manager added: "We clearly need some new bodies, and I know the type of areas we want to strengthen - and that is not critical of any of the players here.
"We have said four or five, and that is about the level we need to get.
"If we get three and they are the right quality then great, but we would like to get five in."
Charlton continued their pre-season build-up at Welling on Wednesday night, the Nationwide Conference South outfit running out 1-0 winners.
Dowie, though, was unconcerned by the result, as he selected a young side and gave run-outs to several trialists - including Spaniard Xavier Farinos and Costa Rica World Cup midfielder Christian Bolanos.
The Addicks boss said: "It does not concern me too much, because we put a lot of youngsters out and had some guys who had only just got back in the country.
"There was certainly no lack of effort, and we have got a game against New Zealand on Saturday, which is now much more in our focus."
Dowie expects England striker Darren Bent to feature against the Kiwi national team at The Valley on Saturday.
The 22-year-old suffered a bizarre injury when he sliced his hand open while chopping bread and onions at home.
However, the freak accident is not expected to see Bent miss the start of the Premiership campaign at West Ham on August 19.
"Darren saw a specialist yesterday and is healing very well," the Charlton manager said.
"He will train much more fully today, and will be involved on Saturday in some portion.
"Whether or not he will play as much as I like is another thing, because discretion is the better part of valour.
"But there is no question of him not being available - he would take it (plastic cast) off now and play if it were up to him, but we have to be careful."
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